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.
Beloved Parishioners and Friends:
In the wake of our wonderful feast day services and fellowship this week, the celebration continues this Sunday, Jan. 29, with a pancake breakfast after services. We are grateful to our Parish Council for hosting the meal, as we celebrate the life, ministry and example of Saint Gregory the Theologian, our patron saint. Please join us in the hall—all are welcome.
Through the intercessions of our Holy Father Saint Gregory, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
“The pastoral flute of your theology conquered the trumpets of orators. For it called upon the depths of the Spirit and you were enriched with the beauty of words. Intercede to Christ our God, O Father Gregory, that our souls may be saved.” —Apolytikion of Saint Gregory
Yours,
Fr. Alex
EPISTLE: TBA. Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.
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 Hess, Leland Hess and 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: Today's pancake breakfast is sponsored by our Parish Council. Join us in the hall for refreshments and friendship after services. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our new SignUpGenius link.
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
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.
Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1
Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.
Saint Ignatius was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian, and a successor of the Apostles, and he became the second Bishop of Antioch, after Evodus. He wrote many epistles to the faithful, strengthening them in their confession, and preserving for us the teachings of the holy Apostles. Brought to Rome under Trajan, he was surrendered to lions to be eaten, and so finished the course of martyrdom about the year 107. The remnants of his bones were carefully gathered by the faithful and brought to Antioch. He is called God-bearer, as one who bare God within himself and was aflame in heart with love for Him. Therefore, in his Epistle to the Romans (ch. 4), imploring their love not to attempt to deliver him from his longed-for martyrdom, he said, "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."
Saint John Chrysostom has a homily in honour of the translation of the Saint's relics (PG 50:587).
SERVICES FOR JAN 29, THE SUNDAY OF THE CANAANITE
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Sunday School classes will be in session this weekend. 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 JAN 29
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
FEAST DAY BREAKFAST, JAN. 29
Today, the celebration of our patron saint continues with a pancake breakfast after services. We are grateful to our Parish Council for hosting the meal, as we celebrate the life, ministry and example of Saint Gregory the Theologian, our patron saint. Please join us in the hall—all are welcome.
GOYA “SOUPER” BOWL FOOD DRIVE, JAN. 29 THROUGH FEB. 12
In anticipation of “Souper Bowl” Sunday on Feb. 12, our GOYAns are leading a collection of canned/non-perishable goods now through Feb. 12, for the benefit of Mansfield Food Pantry. Items needed: Progresso Soups, canned protein foods (like Spam and corned beef hash) and snack foods (like Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Vanilla Wafers, Cheez-its, Goldfish, Belvita bars, Rice Krispie Treats and chips). Please bring your donations to the bin in the Narthex.
HOPE/JOY (GRADES K - 5) PROSFORO ACTIVITY W/ FR. ALEX, FEB. 5
On the 5th following Sunday School and a quick bite to eat at Fellowship Hour, our HOPE (K - grade 2) and JOY (grades 3 - 5) are invited to join Fr. Alex in the church for an up-close look at how Prosforo is prayed over, cut and used in our services. Parents are invited to join us as well, and there will be a special gift for each child. Please contact Fr. Alex with questions, to help (this would be very welcome!) or confirm.
PHILOPTOCHOS VALENTINE COOKIE WALK, FEB. 12 & HYBRID MTG., FEB. 19
The annual Valentine Cookie walk returns on Sunday, February 12. We need your help to fill our table with delicious homemade cookies of all varieties. Please email Ann Johnson (annjohnson0195@gmail.com) to volunteer and share your cookie of choice. In addition, Philoptochos asks us all to kindly wear red to services on the 12th to support the "Go Red for Women" effort (raising awareness about women's heart health). Members are also asked to save the date of Feb. 19 for a hybrid meeting following Sunday School. Zoom info will soon be forwarded.
METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS COOKBOOK SUBMISSIONS, BY FEB. 28
Our own Saint Anastasia Philoptochos has been invited to contribute recipes to a Metropolis Philoptochos cookbook, and the invitation is also open to our entire parish family. The cookbook will be published and made available to our Metropolis parishes as a fundraiser for the Metropolis Philoptochos. Recipe suggestions include soups, fish dishes, cocktails, appetizers and even liturgical items like Prosforo and Artoklasia breads. Please contact Ann Johnson for further details and suggestions: annjohnson0195@gmail.com. The submission link is now available.
NEW FELLOWSHIP HOUR SIGN-UP RESOURCES
All parishioners are invited to host Fellowship Hour on a coming Sunday this winter and spring. In addition to the sign-up poster in the hall, we can now easily learn more and sign up online. Fellowship Hour is a beloved, significant tradition at our parish that speaks to Christian fellowship and hospitality. Thanks in advance for your support, and contact Fellowship Hour Chair Brian Kaufman with any questions: bvkaufman@gmail.com
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
Many thanks to our Stewardship Committee and all of our parish Stewards for the reflective and inspirational events of Stewardship Sunday back in December. As we move into the new year, we now kindly ask our Stewards to read over our 2023 materials package and prayerfully complete and return 2023 Commitment Cards at their earliest convenience. This not only helps us plan for and support our parish ministries but is a visible symbol of our Eucharistic community: united in worship and dedication to the Gospel. The Stewardship pages of our parish website have been updated with our 2023 materials, and please contact Phil LaFond with any questions (phil@lafonds.net).
NEW ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM
Parishioners who would like to try out our new Assistive Listening System are welcome to use the receivers on our Narthex Welcome Table. The receivers are easy to use: just place the ear device on your ear, and turn on the “on/volume” on top of the receiver.
USHERING AND "RIDES TO CHURCH" MINISTRIES
This winter and spring, 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. We have also been re-initiating 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.
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. General Church Office Needs: as we are currently short staffed, please call the Church Office (508.337.9986) and leave a message. Father or another ministry leader will get back with you shortly. Thanks for your patience.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Feast Day Breakfast
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM HOPE/JOY Prosforo Activity
11:30AM "Souper" Bowl Food Drive
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Philoptochos Cookie Walk
11:30AM "Souper" Bowl Food Drive
Children grades K - 5 are invited to join Fr. Alex for an up-close session on how we prepare Prosforo bread.
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!
Our Parish Council offers these financial updates monthly, so our parishioners can be fully aware of financial and Stewardship trends within Saint Gregory.
Trinitas television, the only television station broadcasting 24/7 within the Orthodox world, and established under the initiative of Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, interviewed Rev. Dr. Eugen J. Pentiuc about Scripture in Orthodoxy.