Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2023-05-28
Bulletin Contents
A Word from Father Alex
Sunday Notes
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates
Calendar: Next Two Weeks
Coming Events & News
Metropolis of Boston News
Archdiocese News

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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

Fellow Parishioners and Friends: 

A blessed Ascension to our parish family! 

If you are remaining local this holiday weekend, please make sure to join us at our Saint Gregory parish home for worship, Sunday School and friendship. Fr. Manny will lead the service this Sunday, as well as offer a homily and special memorial for members of his family. In addition, I will lead us in a Memorial Day prayer before dismissal. 

I look forward to seeing you, and if you are traveling this weekend, please do so safely and come back to us healthy and well. 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex

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Sunday Notes

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

MEMORIALS: Eleftheria Mastrandreas (40 days) and Michael Mastrandreas (15 years). May their memory be eternal!

TODAY'S MYRHHBEARER SERVICE: TBA. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the spring and summer. To get involved, contact Eleni LaFond or Fr. Alex. 

TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: Team Archangel Gabriel: Eliot and Leiland Hess; Linus LaFond. Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Assistant Captain: Spencer Riley. 

HOMILY: Offered by Fr. Manny Chris. 

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: All are welcome to join us in the hall for friendship and refreshments following Divine Liturgy. 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

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He revealed Himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. .

Epistle Reading

Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Gospel Reading

Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from John 17:1-13

At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.

"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

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Saints and Feasts

May 28

Fathers of the 1st Council

The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.

Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful.

Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.

May 28

Hieromartyr Eutychius, Bishop of Melitene

All information concerning this Martyr has been lost, except that he presented himself before the tyrants, mocked the idols, suffered many unspeakable torments, and was finally drowned in the sea.

May 28

Nikitas, Bishop of Chalcedon

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Wisdom of the Fathers

For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus. For He still pleads even now as Man for my salvation; ...
St. Gregory the Theologian
4th Theological Oration, 4th Century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR TODAY, MAY 28, FATHERS OF THE 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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, immediately following Holy Communion. 

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR TODAY, MAY 28
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 

BRIEF PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JUNE 4
Though our May 21 meeting included all needed reports and vital reflections, we lost our quorum before voting on two simple items. The meeting should take no more than 15 minutes. The agenda is here and in the Narthex.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LAST DAY OF CLASSES & CELEBRATION, JUNE 4
Believe it or not, we are quickly moving toward the end of our Sunday School year. On the 4th following Holy Communion, our Sunday School leaders and teachers will present our children with end-of-the-year gifts during class time. Then all our children are invited to an ice cream social during Fellowship Hour. Many thanks to all of our teachers and students for a great year!

METROPOLIS AWARDS BANQUET, JUNE 11
This year’s Metropolis Awards Banquet will be held June 11, once again at Gillette Stadium.
Congratulations to this year’s honoree, Karen Guinan! We are all invited to join Karen, Jack and the Guinan Family for this wonderful event. Tickets are $100 each, and please contact Fr. Alex by May 26 to reserve your space at our Saint Gregory tables.

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND PARISH RETREAT, JUNE 16 - 18
Plans are being made for our annual weekend at the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, this year on June 16 - 18. Come all three days or for as long as you like. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our fellow parishioners and enjoy some “down time” at the beautiful retreat center. Swimming, hiking, outdoor games and much more are on the agenda, including several sessions with Fr. Alex on “Saintly Families: Parent and Child Saints in the Orthodox Church.” Check in on the 16th begins at 5 pm. See our flyer (w/ reg. link) in the Narthex. To learn more, contacT Stephanie LaFond: [email protected]; 508.641.1362. 

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: [email protected]

STEWARDSHIP 2023 
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 ([email protected]). 

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; [email protected]. 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: [email protected]. 

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. 

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Coming Events & News

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Archdiocese News

2024 Clergy-Laity Congress to convene in San Diego, California

05/23/2023

https://www.goarch.org/-/clergy-laity-congress-2024-to-be-held-in-san-diego?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss

New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announced today that the 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and the National Philoptochos Biennial Convention will take place simultaneously from June 30 to July 4, 2024, in San Diego, California. The Metropolis of San Francisco will serve as host, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.


Sunday Sermon Series - Sunday of the Fathers of the First Council, May 28

05/23/2023

https://www.goarch.org/-/sunday-sermon-series-sunday-of-the-fathers-of-the-first-council-may-28?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about Jesus praying to the Father for us. So why did the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council affirm the divinity of Christ?


His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, HC/HC Paterexhortatory Graduation Address -Hellenic College Holy Cross

05/21/2023

https://www.goarch.org/-/his-eminence-archbishop-elpidophoros-hc/hc-paterexhortatory-graduation-address-hellenic-college-holy-cross?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss

Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη!

Christ is Risen!

Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη!

 

What a moment for all of you – to have come this far on your journey of knowledge and faith. This Commencement is much more than a reward for your past accomplishments. It is, in fact, a launch pad for the rest of your lives.


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