Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2024-06-09
Bulletin Contents

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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: 

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

In the wake of last Sunday’s wonderful, joyous youth celebrations, I warmly invite you to join us this weekend at your Saint Gregory parish home.

As the last two years, we are once again supporting West Side Benevolent Circle’s summer Nourish to Flourish program. During the summer months, many local children who receive nourishing lunches at schools will have a gap in service. This program provides healthy and hearty lunches to these children throughout the summer.

Our “assignment” from West Side is pasta, pasta and more pasta—specifically:
*Pasta/pasta sauce
*Boxes of Mac 'n' Cheese
*Ramen

Please bring your donations—throughout this month—to the bin in the Narthex (last day of collection is June 21). 

Also, I encourage you to take some time for you and yours at the Saint Methodios Faith & Heritage Center the weekend of June 14 - 16. In addition to swimming, lounging and enjoying great conversation, we'll look forward to several sessions (youth and adult) on seeing the “peace of God” (a concept drawn from scripture, our services and the general life of the Church). See the flyer in the "Coming Events" section of this eBulletin. 

Last but certainly not least, I'm really looking forward to honoring Dennis and Nancy at this Sunday's Metropolis Awards Banquet. The event begins at 4:30 pm at Gillette Stadium's Putnam Club, and we will have two Saint Gregory tables representing our parish family. Congratulations to Dennis, Nancy and the entire Savas Family! 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex

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Sunday Notes

EPISTLE: Lou Zagami. 

HOMILY: "Believing Is Seeing."

MYRRHBEARER: TBA.

ALTAR SERVICE: Team Archangel Michael (Matthew Cromack, AJ Georgilas & Matthew Georgilas). Captain, Mario Salzillo. 

ALTAR FLOWERS: Please consider sponsoring altar flowers for a coming Sunday. The donation for flower sponsorships is $75. Please contact Gina in the church office to learn more or sponsor. 

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: All are welcome to join us following Divine Liturgy. This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors 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

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.


Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34

IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from John 9:1-38

At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.


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Saints and Feasts

June 09

Righteous Father Columba of Iona

After he established a number of monasteries and churches in his native Ireland, Saint Columba founded the renowned monastery of Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Having guided many in the path of salvation, reposed in peace in 597.


June 09

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.


June 09

Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria

On this day we commemorate Saint Cyril's falling asleep. On January 18 we commemorate the occasion of the Saint's restoration to his see in Alexandria after he had suffered a brief exile because of the machinations of the Nestorians. Shortly thereafter the Third Ecumenical Council was convoked in Ephesus and the blasphemous doctrine of Nestorius was condemned. See January 18 for Saint Cyril's life and works.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

The work of God is, after all, the forming of man. He did this by an outward action, as Scripture says, 'And the Lord took clay from earth, and formed man.' Notice here too how the Lord spit on the earth, and made clay and smeared it on his eyes, showing how the ancient creation was made. He was making clear to those who can understand, that this was the [same] hand of God through which man was formed from clay.
St. Irenaeus
Against Heresies. 5.15.2. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 324.

But I assert that he even received benefit from his blindness: since he recovered the sight of the eyes within.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 56 on John 9, 4th Century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH, SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: 
Orthros, 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am
Each week, Sunday School classes begin immediately after Holy Communion. All are warmly invited to join us for refreshments and fellowhip after Divine Liturgy. 

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR TODAY, JUNE 9TH
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"

FLOURISH TO NOURISH DRIVE, NOW THROUGH JUNE 21ST
Now through June 21st, we will be collecting pasta, boxed mac 'n' cheese, ramen noodles and pasta sauce for West Side Benevolent Center. The center's Nourish to Flourish Drive supports children in Mansfield who are impacted by food insecurity in the summer months. Grocery gift cards are also welcome (contact Gina in the Church Office for more details on gift cards). 

METROPOLIS AWARDS EVENT, JUNE 9TH
We are excited to celebrate Dennis and Nancy Savas as this wonderful event at Gillette Stadium this Sunday. Please note that the deadline for reservations has passed.

PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING, JUNE 9TH
Our next General Meeting will take place this Sunday following Divine Liturgy and Fellowship Hour. All are welcome to join us in the library.

MBC COMMUNITY WEEKEND, JUNE 14 – 16th
See our flyer for details, and please share with friends and family. Faith-based sessions, swimming, boating, hiking, down time and worship are on the agenda. Come for a day, two or all three. Contact Stephanie LaFond to confirm and with questions: [email protected].

BOOKSTORE GRADUATION GIFTS & MORE, THROUGHOUT JUNE
During this season of graduations and other special events, come visit the Saint Gregory Bookstore for the perfect gift. Icons, children’s books about the Saints, prayer guides and so many other of our offerings can make encouraging gifts for those we love. Come see Emily Hess and friends soon at our bookstore. 

SAVE THE DATE OF OUR PARISH FESTIVAL, AUG. 24TH
We look forward to this fundraiser and community-building event. See our flyer, and plan to join us. Volunteer needs and other information will be available shortly after Pascha. 

SAINT GREGORY GOLF TOURNAMENT, OCT. 10TH
For a fun and dynamic change of pace, our 2024 tournament will be held at Top Golf in Canton, MA. The tournament page—along with registration and sponsorship information—is now available. Please save the date and plan to join us!

KOLIVA PREPARATION
At any given time of the year, our faithful will seek help in the preparation of Koliva for memorials. Fellow parishioner Gina Drugas is now offering this service, with a cost of $100 per Koliva plate. Please contact Gina to learn more and make arrangements: [email protected] 

FELLOWSHIP HOUR SIGN-UP RESOURCES
All parishioners are invited to host Fellowship Hour on a coming Sunday. 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]

RIDES TO CHURCH
George Dimitriou, our Driving Ministry chair, would be happy to help you or a loved one make it to Saint Gregory for worship and events. Contact George directly: [email protected]; 781.769.2085.

LOST & FOUND
When parishioners find items about the church, they leave them with the church office. You will find a mail tray labled for lost and found. If you have misplaced a small item, or found one, please stop by the office.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. & Thur., 9 am - 1 pm. Wed., 1 - 4 pm; or by appointment when convenient for our parishioners. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visiting with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event, or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours.

Church Secretary:
 Mon., Wed., Thur. and Fri., 8 - 11 am. On Tue., our secretary is available remotely, 8 - 11 am. Contact Church Secretary Gina Drugas: [email protected].  

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Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    June 9 to June 23, 2024

    Sunday, June 9

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Nourish to Flourish Food Drive

    11:15AM Philoptochos Mtg

    5:00PM Metropolis Awards Event

    Tuesday, June 11

    6:30PM Parish Council

    Thursday, June 13

    Ascension of the Lord

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy (no Orthros)

    Friday, June 14

    Parish Community Weekend (Faith/Heritage Center)

    Sunday, June 16

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Nourish to Flourish Food Drive

    11:15AM Father's Day Celebration

    Friday, June 21

    5:00PM Nourish to Flourish Drive concludes

    Saturday, June 22

    Soul Saturday

    8:45AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy & Memorial

    Sunday, June 23

    Holy Pentecost

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy & Vespers

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Coming Events & News

    Metropolis Ministry Awards: June 9

    Metropolis Ministry Awards: June 9

    Come celebrate Dennis and Nancy Savas at Gillette Stadium. Reservations are due with the church office by May 22.


    Nourish to Flourish Drive: Now Through June 21

    Nourish to Flourish Drive: Now Through June 21

    Now through June 21st we are collecting dry pasta, ramen, and sauce to help provide meals for children in the Mansfield Area facing food insecurity over the summer months.


    Community Weekend: June 14 - 16

    Community Weekend: June 14 - 16

    Join us Father's Day weekend for spiritual reflection, sun, fun and great friendship at the Contoocook retreat center.


    Parish Festival: Aug 24

    Parish Festival: Aug 24

    Please mark your Calendars for our much anticipated festival! Share with friends, family and community!


    Annual Golf Classic: Oct 10

    Annual Golf Classic: Oct 10

    Join us for this annual fundraiser and community event on Oct. 10. No golfing expertise required to have a wonderful time with friends old and new.


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