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Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2022-11-20
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Allsaint
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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:

On Nov. 15, we began the small, joyous Lent that leads to the Nativity of the Lord on Dec. 25. Like Great Lent before Easter, this preparation period includes abstention from certain foods like meat, reflection, repentance, renewed focus on worship and, of course, action on behalf of those in need. Further, there is that sense of joy I mentioned, a deep excitement and sense of expectation at the coming of the Christ Child. In the coming weeks, let's embrace this joy together--and celebrate His coming by turning away from our own needs and towards the needs of others, by approaching life with humility and by raising compassion and love above all other priorities. 

With these profound possibilities in mind, I hope you can join us this Sunday at Saint Gregory--this will be a busy but wonderful day at our parish. Following Holy Communion and dismissal from Liturgy, our parents are invited to head up to the classrooms for our Sunday School open house, a great opportunity for parents to connect with the spiritual journeys of their children and get to know their teachers better. During Fellowship Hour, our Saint Anastasia Philoptochos will offer their annual bake sale; in addition, the Philoptochos "One Warm Coat" drive and the GOYA "Giving Tree" will continue. Also in the spirit of this season of giving, our GOYAns will head out for a quick lunch and then shopping for the Thanksgiving Dinner Drive (last day for us to receive your donations, including frozen turkeys). Finally, for those able to join me, we are all invited to the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 2nd Congregational Church in Attleboro. The service will commence at 3 pm. 

I'll look forward to seeing you and a blessed, joyous "small" Lent to you and yours--and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Fr. Alex


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Sunday Notes

HOMILY: Offered by Fr. Manny Chris. 

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

MEMORIAL: May her memory be eternal!

TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Krista Johnson. 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: 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: Sponsored by our Saint Anastasia Philoptochos. 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

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."


Epistle Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10

Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."


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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
November 20

Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople

Saint Proclus lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger. A disciple and scribe of Saint John Chrysostom, he was ordained Bishop of Cyzicus about the year 426, but because the people there unlawfully elected another bishop before his arrival, he remained in Constantinople. In 429, Nestorius, who had been Archbishop of Constantinople for about a year, and had already begun his blasphemous teaching that it is wrong to call the holy Virgin "Theotokos," invited Bishop Proclus to give a sermon on one of the feasts of our Lady, which he did, openly defending in Nestorius' presence the name "Theotokos," that is, "Mother of God." Saint Proclus was elevated to the throne of Archbishop of Constantinople in 434. It was he who persuaded Emperor Theodosius the Younger and his holy sister Pulcheria to have the most sacred relics of his godly teacher Saint John Chrysostom brought back from Comana, and triumphantly received them upon their return to the imperial city (see Jan. 27 and Nov. 13). He reposed in peace in 447.


18_lukewriting
November 20

9th Sunday of Luke


Allsaint
November 20

Gregory the Righteous of Decapolis

Saint Gregory who was from Irenopolis of the Decapolis of Asia Minor, was the son of Sergius and Mary. He became a monk as a young man, and after struggling for many years in virtue and prayer under obedience to a wise spiritual father, he was informed by revelation that it was the will of God for him to live, like the Patriarch Abraham, with no certain dwelling, moving from place to place. His journeyings took him to Ephesus, Constantinople, Corinth, Rome, Sicily, Thessalonica, and again to Constantinople, where, after many labours in defence of Orthodoxy against Iconoclasm, he reposed in peace in the first half of the ninth century. He had two disciples, one of whom was Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (see Apr. 3), who wrote the Menaion service for Saint Gregory, his father in Christ.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

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.

SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER 20, THE 9TH 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 20
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 OPEN HOUSE, NOV 20
Today is the much-anticipated Sunday School open house. 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. Our dedicated teachers so enjoy working with our children, and an important part of their ministry is making sure they cultivate relationships with our parents. After dismissal from Divine Liturgy, please head up to the classrooms, and enjoy this special time with our children and teachers. See you then!

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!). 

GOYA LUNCH & THANKSGIVING DRIVE SHOPPING, NOV 20
After Sunday School and managing the Giving Tree today, our GOYAns will enjoy lunch and then shop for remaining items needed for the Thanksgiving Dinner Drive. GOYAns should find Mr. Christo after Sunday School. Thanks to our GOYAns for their efforts on behalf of this worthy and timely philanthropic project.

PHILOPTOCHOS "ONE WARM COAT" DRIVE, CONT. NOV 20
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 20
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 DINNER DRIVE , CONCLUDES NOV 20
Many thanks to those parishioners who have already brought wonderful goods for our drive. This Sunday is our last, and our dinners will be picked up from Saint Gregory after Divine Liturgy. This Sunday, we welcome the following food items for drop off in the Narthex: 
***Our goal is 25 dinners: Boxes of stuffing and instant potatoes | Canned cranberry sauce, green beans, peas and corn | frozen turkeys (can be dropped in the kitchen in the hall today)

THANKSGIVING ECUMENICAL SERVICE, NOV 20, 3 PM
All our parishioners are warmly invited to today’s Thanksgiving service at 2nd Congregational Church, 50 Park St., Attleboro, MA. People of all faith traditions will be attending, and this annual event is intended to highlight the connectivity of faith-based organizations in the Attleboro area. There will be an offertory in support of the Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative to further the institution’s goal to “alleviate hunger, promote stability and inspire the community to thrive.” We hope to see you there!

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 20 to December 4, 2022

    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

    Sunday, December 4

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School classes

    11:30AM Nativity Pageant Rehearsal

    11:30AM Parish Elections

    6:00PM GOYA Dinner & Wheaton College Concert

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Coming Events & News

    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.


    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!


    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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