A Word from Father Alex

Fellow Parishioners and Friends:

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

As we move toward the close of Bright Week, I hope and pray your heart is full of the same joy and hope we experienced together on Holy Saturday Night. All has been done and accomplished for us; now, it is up to you and me to live that way. We can truly reflect the love of Christ in our lives to our family, neighbors, friends, colleagues from work and, of course, people we don't even know. "The Light that shines in the darkness" (John 1:5) dwells deep in our hearts. Let's reveal it to everyone we encounter.

With these things in mind, I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday (the Sunday of Saint Thomas and the Feast of Saint George). Also, read on within this eBulletin for information and updates on a host of coming events, from Graduation/Scholarship Sunday on May 21 to the Metropolis Awards Banquet on June 11.

Again, Christ is Risen!

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

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

TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Krista Johnson. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the winter and spring. To get involved, contact Eleni LaFond or Fr. Alex.

TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: Team Archangel Michael Matt Cromack, (AJ and Matthew Georgilas and Mario Salzillo). Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Spencer Riley: Assistant Captain.

HOMILY: Paschal Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios.

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 the Sunday School Middle School Class. 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

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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

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11

About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church.

The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

Gospel Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

Saints and Feasts

April 23

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.

April 23

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.

His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)

If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.

April 24

Elizabeth the Wonderworker

Saint Elizabeth was born in Heraclea of Thrace. She lived in virginity and exhausted herself with ascetical labours and every kind of hardship from the time of her youth, and was deemed worthy of the grace of wonderworking from God; she reposed in peace in Constantinople in the middle of the fifth century.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord stoops to the level even of our feeble understanding. He works a miracle of His invisible power in order to satisfy the doubts of unbelieving minds.

St. Hilary of Poitiers

On the Trinity, 1.20. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John. Intervarsity Press, 2007, p. 369.

For great is the dignity of the priests. ... And hold them very exceedingly in honor; for you indeed care about your own affairs, and if you order them well, you give no account for others; ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 86, 4th Century

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR APRIL 23, SUNDAY OF SAINT THOMAS
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 as we continue our year of learning and growth in the Orthodox Faith.

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR APRIL 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

METROPOLIS AWARDS NOMINATIONS, DUE APRIL 28
This year’s Metropolis Awards Banquet will be held June 11, once again at Gillette Stadium. The event is designed to highlight the dedicated, faithful and loving service of the clergy and laity of the Metropolis of Boston. Typically, as many as 800 local parishioners attend. This year, we would like to augment the selection process to include all of our Saint Gregory faithful. With that in mind, if you would like to nominate a fellow parishioner who has not yet been honored, please contact Phil LaFond or Fr. Alex by April 28. We look forward to this wonderful, encouraging event—please save the date of June 11. Reservation details will soon be announced.

PARASCO SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING SENIORS, APPS. DUE APRIL 30
If your family is a Steward of Saint Gregory, you are graduating high school this June and are planning on attending a college or university, you are encouraged to apply for a scholarship that will be awarded to seniors. Applications are in the High School classroom or online: http://bit.ly/3nySVL8. Applications are due by 4.30.23. Contact our committee with questions: stgregoryscholarship@gmail.com.

PHILOPTOCHOS ELECTIONS NOMINATIONS, MAY 6 & FELLOWSHIP HOUR EVENT, MAY 14
***Thank you to all who supported the Dignity Matters Drive! We were able to send a full barrel of donations to our local Dignity Matters representative.
***In addition, Philoptochos Board Elections will take place in mid-May, and we ask all members interested to offer their names by May 6. Contact Ann Johnson to learn more or offer yourself for the board: annjohnson0195@gmail.com.
***Finally, we will be sponsoring a special “thank you” Fellowship Hour on May 14, the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman. This is an opportunity for Philoptochos to thank our parish for its support of Philoptochos ministries and events throughout the year.

SUNDAY SCHOOL EVENTS--SAVE THESE DATES, MAY 7 & BEYOND
With our Sunday School year drawing to its close, we look forward to our final events, as well as celebrating our ministry and marking the accomplishments of our youth:
***May 7 & June 4: Students/Teachers sit up front for Divine Liturgy
***May 21: High School Graduation Recognition & Scholarship Event
***June 4: Last Day of Sunday School & Ice Cream Social

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, MAY 21
Please save the date of this important meeting of our parish family, immediately following Divine Liturgy.

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 2023 & TESTIMONIAL VIDEO
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). View the Stewardship Sunday testimonial video here.

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.

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

April 23 to May 7, 2023

Sunday, April 23

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:30AM Sunday School classes

Sunday, April 30

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:30AM Sunday School classes

Saturday, May 6

9:30AM TCI Seminar (@St. George, Centerville)

Sunday, May 7

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:30AM Sunday School classes

Coming Events & News

Metropolis Ministry Awards: June 11

Join fellow parishioners from across the Metropolis of Boston as we come together at Gillette Stadium to celebrate the dedicated service of clergy and laity. Reservation information will soon be available.

General Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins