A Word from Father Alex

Fellow Parishioners and Friends:

I wish you a blessed Feast of the Ascension (celebrated June 13) and hope all is well with you and yours.

This Saturday, I will be with our parishioners at the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center for our annual Community Weekend. Our theme for the weekend will be “Pursuing the Peace of God,” and I look forward to offering sessions for our youth and adults, as well as leading worship on Saturday night. Of course, we’ll also have lots of down time: swimming, hiking, lounging, etc. It’ll be a great weekend, and I thank Stephanie LaFond for organizing and enabling this terrific community event.

I will also be back on Sunday for Orthros and Divine Liturgy at Saint Gregory. We’ll have Father’s Day treats for all our dads, and I look forward to worship and friendship with you at our parish home.

As mentioned last week, we are once again supporting West Side Benevolent Circle’s summer Nourish to Flourish program. With the school year ending and the tremendous need within the greater Mansfield area, West Side is asking us for a donation drop off quite soon: June 22. With that in mind, this Sunday please bring as many donations as you can to the Narthex bin (list is below). I appreciate your effort on behalf of local children and families.

Our Shopping List for this Sunday:
*Pasta/pasta sauce
*Boxes of Mac n Cheese
*Ramen

I hope to see you Sunday—either at MBC or Saint Gregory—and Happy Father’s Day!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

EPISTLE: Parish Chanters.

MYRRHBEARER: Raisia Georgilias.

ALTAR SERVICE: All servers welcome.

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

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."

Saints and Feasts

June 16

40 Martyrs of Rome

June 16

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.

June 16

Tychon the Wonderworker

This Saint was born of pious Christian parents and flourished in the fifth century. Because of his piety and purity of life he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Amathus, and later was made Bishop of Amathus by the great Epiphanius (see May 12). He worked many signs and wonders and turned many from the worship of idols unto Christ. Once he planted a vine in the ground and it wondrously sprouted and brought forth ripe grapes. After his death, on his annual feast-day on June 16, it being yet early in the season, that vine would be laden with unripe grapes, as is natural; but as the Divine Liturgy began, the grapes would begin to darken, and by the end of it, they would be fully ripened. The third of the Vespers stichera in the Menaion service to Saint Tychon alludes to this yearly miracle.

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

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH, FATHERS OF THE FIRST COUNCIL.
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 16TH
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"

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 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).

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.

MANSFIELD FAMILY FUN NIGHT, JULY 9TH
Our parish will once again be at Mansfield’s Family Fun Night, serving gyros, burger, hot dogs and Greek pastry. Many hands are needed for the shifts listed below. Please contact Steve Christo for details and to sign up: [email protected]

***4:30 – 6 pm: Load up food, grill, tent and setup on Main St.
***6 – 8 pm: Cook and prep food, handle cash register
***8 – 9:30 pm: Final food prep, cash register, clean up area, tent tear down, pack trucks and bring back to church

UPCOMING FESTIVAL, AUG. 24TH
We are looking forward to this fundraiser and community-building event! See our flyer in the Narthex and plan to join us. Volunteer Opportunities will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please contact
Karen Guinan: [email protected]

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: Summer Office Hours are as follows: Monday, Thursday & Friday - 12:30p - 3p. Gina is available via email remotely on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Contact Church Secretary Gina Drugas: [email protected].

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

June 14 to June 30, 2024

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

Sunday, June 30

9:30AM Divine Liturgy/No Orthros today

Coming Events & News

Nourish to Flourish Drive: Now Through June 21st

General Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

A Word from Father Alex

Sunday Notes

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Saints and Feasts

40 Martyrs of Rome

Fathers of the 1st Council

Tychon the Wonderworker

Wisdom of the Fathers

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

June 14 to June 30, 2024

Coming Events & News

Nourish to Flourish Drive: Now Through June 21st

Mansfield Family Fun Night: July 9th

Parish Festival: Aug 24th

Annual Golf Classic: Oct 10