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Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2022-11-13
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Goodsamaritan
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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:

It's hard to believe we have entered November. Little by little the brilliant colors of fall are giving way to that steel grey of winter. In ways, this change of seasons may make us feel like the world is becoming rather barren; however, this is still a brilliant time of year, despite the more muted colors of the New England landscape. 

This brilliance, I think, is all about the spirit of this time of year. On Nov. 15, we enter the fast of the Nativity of the Lord. This is a time of reflection, forgiveness, humility and thanksgiving as we anticipate the coming of the Lord; He is the greatest gift we could ever receive. Reminded of His humility, being born on the outskirsts of Jerusalem, we strive to deny ourselves, turn from our own needs and consider how we might serve others. To serve others, especially those in need, is to serve Christ Himself. 

In addition and in the same vein, we also look toward the heart-warming holiday of Thanksgiving. Within our parish, we see meaningful outreach efforts like the Philoptochos "One Warm Coat Drive," the Giving Tree and Thanksgiving Dinner Drive beginning; there is a movement within our hearts and ministries toward uplifting and serving our neighbors. The same is true within our children's schools, our places of work and community organizations with which we are involved. Our eyes are drawn more and more toward God, more and more toward neighbor--these are good, holy things.

Yes, this is what I mean by a brilliant time of year. 

With these things in mind, I invite your to worship, friendship, Orthodox Life and much more at Saint Gregory this weekend. May this time of giving pervade our hearts and minds. May we never be satisfied just confessing our Orthodox Faith. May we, instead, also feel driven to enact it through holy action--as Fr. Stanley Harakas reminded, through living "the Liturgy after the Liturgy." 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex


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Sunday Notes

HOMILY: Orthodox Life: "Reception of Holy Communion"

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

TRISAGIA: Theodore/Θεόδωρος (2 yrs.) and Alexandra/Αλεξάνδρα (29 yrs.) Dimitriou, beloved parents of George and Angelo Dimitriou. George Copoulos (1 yr.) May their memory be eternal!

TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Marianna Kalogeras. 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 Gabriel (Eliot and Leland Hess; Linus LaFond). Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Spencer Riley: Assistant Captain. 

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: 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

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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

John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.


Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."


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Saints and Feasts

Goodsamaritan
November 13

8th Sunday of Luke


Johnchry
November 13

John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

This greatest and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, "John, had not the Christians stolen him from us." With such a training, and with such gifts as he had by nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a rhetorician. But through the good example of his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Meletius of Antioch (see Feb. 12), by whom he was ordained reader about the year 370, he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. From the years 374 to 381 he lived the monastic life in the hermitages that were near Antioch. His extreme asceticism undermined his health, compelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Meletius ordained him deacon about the year 381. Saint Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 Bishop Flavian ordained John presbyter of the Church of Antioch. Upon his elevation to the priesthood his career as a public preacher began, and his exceptional oratorical gifts were made manifest through his many sermons and commentaries. They are distinguished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease with which rich imagery and scriptural allusions are multiplied; by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God's providence; and, not least of all, by their earnestness and moral force, which issue from the heart of a blameless and guileless man who lived first what he preached to others. Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398, by Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy.

At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor (see May 8); Arcadius was a man of weak character, and much under the influence of his wife Eudoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom's unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Eudoxia; through Theophilus' plottings and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403. The people were in an uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened the Empress Eudoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in September of 403, and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held. Saint John's enemies, dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in this, and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter sufferings for the aged bishop, both because of the harshness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his 310 guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana in Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Basiliscus (see May 22), who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407. His last words were "Glory be to God for all things." His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirty-one years later by the Emperor Theodosius the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.

Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom ("Golden-mouth") because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles. Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honour. Besides his feasts today and on January 27, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian.

It should be noted that, because September 14 is the Exaltation of the Cross, the Saint's memory has been transferred to this day.


Allsaint
November 13

Anthousa, the Mother of John Chrysostom


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Wisdom of the Fathers

When a man reveres God with all his heart and with faith, he receives through God's providence the power to control anger and desire; for it is desire and anger which are the cause of all evils.
St. Antony the Great
On the Character of Men no. 12, Philokalia Vol. 1 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 331, 4th century

'The Lord your God is one Lord' (cf. Deut. 6:4), revealed in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: in the unbegotten Father; in the Son, who is begotten eternally, timelessly and impassibly as the Logos, and who through Himself anointed that which He assumed from us and so is called Christ; and in the Holy Spirit, who also comes forth from the Father, not begotten, but proceeding. This alone is God and alone is true God, the one Lord in a Trinity of Hypostases, undivided in nature, will, glory, power, energy, and all the characteristics of divinity. Him alone shall you love and Him alone shall you worship with all your mind and with all your heart and with all your strength.
St. Gregory Palamas
A New Testament Decalogue no. 1, Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 323, 14th century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER 13, THE 8TH 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 NOVEMBER 13
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
 

ORTHODOX LIFE, NOV 13
Join us for our third session of Orthodox Life: "Contemporary Moral Issues" during Fellowship Hour. This adult educational series explores the Orthodox Church’s perspective on the most pressing social and moral issues of our time. 
The Nov. 13 discussion, led by Fr. Alex, will focus on pastoral issues surrounding the distribution of Holy Communion during times of health crisis, with special attention to the recent COVID situation. Grab a coffee and head to the Middle School classroom. 

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 please drop off completed forms in the Church Office, to Elections Committee Chair Steve Christo or to Fr. Alex. Candidate forms are due by the end of the day on Nov. 13, so that we may move forward with our parish's elections process in a timely manner. 

PHILOPTOCHOS "ONE WARM COAT" DRIVE, BEGINS NOV 13
Thank you to everyone who supported our Veterans Day Drive. We were able to purchase 5 winter coats and send $380.00 in Stop & Shop and Ocean State Job Lot gift cards to the Mansfield Veterans Affairs Office.  Our current outreach effort is the "One Warm Coat" Drive, and it is underway! Please bring gently used coats for donation to the Narthex bin. This collection of child and adult-sized coats will go through Dec. 11. 

GOYA GIVING TREE CONT., NOV 13
Thanks to the good efforts of Mrs. Mullert and our GOYAns, the "Giving Tree" is set up and wish lists are now available. Come receive your list during Fellowship Hour over the next several weeks, or utilize our our SignUpGenius option: St. Gregory's Giving Tree: Giving Tree 2022 (signupgenius.com). Many thanks for your support of families served by West Side Benevolent Circle during this season of giving and compassion. View and share our flyer!

THANKSGIVING DRIVE FOR LOCAL VETERANS, CONT., NOV 13
For the third year, our parish will sponsor a drive for Thanksgiving dinner items for the Middlesex Sheriff’s
Association. The dinners are delivered to the families of veterans in the greater Boston area. See our fyer hereAs of now, we will welcome the following food items for drop off in the Narthex, as well as financial donations to purchase food (contact Fr. Alex).
***Our goal is 25 dinners: Boxes of stuffing and instant potatoes | Canned cranberry sauce, green beans, peas and corn | frozen turkeys (will be collected closer to the 20th).

FOOD & FRIENDS, NOV 15
Food preparation and cooking help is needed, as we offer our hospitality and support to local friends and neighbors. Please contact Cathy Cooper to learn more or help out: ccooper126@verizon.net. 

TCI SEMINAR AT SAINT GREGORY, NOV 19
All of our parish ministry and program leaders are encouraged to join us for the TCI (Thriving Congregations Initiative) seminar at Saint Gregory, 9:30 am - 3 pm. TCI is a Metropolis of Boston initiative designed to encourage and support new, vibrant ministry efforts within our parishes. In addition to participating in the seminar activities, help is needed with registration, providing breakfast and lunch, clean up and more. Please contact Fr. Alex to register and/or to help.

SUNDAY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE, NOV 20
After dismissal from Divine Liturgy, our parents will have an opportunity to join our children and teachers in class for a first-hand look at the Sunday School faith and learning experience. More details from our Sunday School leaders and teachers are forthcoming.

PHILOPTOCHOS THANKSGIVING BAKE SALE, NOV 20
Our annual bake sale is Sunday, November 20. Pick up a delicious baked good, or two,  to share at your Thanksgiving table! (Or you can enjoy it before then, if you can’t wait!). 

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 commitmentCommitment 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 

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Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    November 13 to November 27, 2022

    Sunday, November 13

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School classes

    11:30AM Thanksgiving Drive cont.

    11:30AM Orthodox Life: Contemporary Moral Issues

    11:30AM GOYA Giving Tree cont.

    Tuesday, November 15

    11:00AM Food & Friends Ministry

    Saturday, November 19

    9:00AM Thriving Congregations Seminar

    Sunday, November 20

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School classes

    11:15AM Sunday School Open House

    11:30AM Thanksgiving Drive ends

    11:30AM Philoptochos Bake Sale

    11:30AM GOYA Lunch & Shopping

    11:30AM GOYA Giving Tree cont.

    3:00PM Interfaith Thanksgiving Service (2nd Cong. Church, Attleboro)

    Sunday, November 27

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School classes

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Coming Events & News

    Giving Tree: Nov 6 - 27

    Giving Tree: Nov 6 - 27

    Receive your "Wish List" at Fellowship Hour or use the SignUpGenius link within the flyer. Thank you for your support of local families during the holiday season!


    Thanksgiving Dinner Drive: Nov 6 - Nov 20

    Thanksgiving Dinner Drive: Nov 6 - Nov 20

    Please help support the family's of local veterans served the Middlesex County Sheriff's Association. Food and financial donations are welcome and appreciated.


    Nov/Dec Mustard Seed Newsletter

    Nov/Dec Mustard Seed Newsletter

    Enjoy our latest newsletter, highlighting worship events like our Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Vesperal Liturgy and vital fundraising efforts such as the Nov. 20 Philoptochos Bake Sale. Enjoy!


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