Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2024-11-10
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:

Come join us at our parish home this Sunday for worship, friendship and more. Sunday School will be in session after a wonderful turnout for our “first Sunday of the month” last week; likewise, another pageant rehearsal will take place after Sunday School for the Nativity pageant, slated for Dec. 15th.

Also this Sunday, your generous offerings are welcome and needed for the Thanksgiving Dinner Drive and Philoptochos Veterans Drive (last Sunday to donate). In addtiion, GOYA will be sponsoring a streamlined Giving Tree effort to benefit families served by West Side Benevolent Circle, beginning this Sunday (please sign up at Fellowship Hour/contact Fr. Alex to offer Target and Walmart gift cards). There are so many ways to express your care and love for neighbor, and many of them abide here at Saint Gregory.

Please save the date of Nov. 17th for our fall Parish General Assembly (see the agenda in the Coming Events & News section). All 2024 Stewards are encouraged to participate in this vital parish meeting. In addition, please consider serving on our Parish Council in the coming year: we have vacancies and look forward to welcoming new members. Nomination forms have been emailed to us and are in the Narthex (due Nov. 22nd). See me for more details.

Finally, please embrace the “joyous fast” of the Nativity, beginning Nov. 15th. I will preach about it on Sunday, and it represents a marvelous opportunity for us to internalize and act upon the greatest gift of all: the coming of Jesus Christ.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Fr. Alex

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Sunday Notes

ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Michael: Matthew Cromack, AJ Georgilas and Matthew Georgilas. Cap., Mario Salzillo.

MYRRHBEARERS: Cap., Eleni LaFond.
10th: Raisia Georgilias.
17th: Elena Salzillo.

EPISTLE: Yvette Politis.

MEMORIALS: 
- Today, Nov. 10th: John Klonaris (14 yrs.), father of Despina Stavros, who fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 7th, 2010. May his memory be eternal!
- Nov. 17th: Theodoros (4 yrs.) and Alexandra (31 yrs.) Dimitriou, parents of George and Angelo Dimitriou. Aιώνια η μνήμη. May their memory be eternal!

HOMILY: “Preparing for the Holy Child.”

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: This week's Fellowship Hour is sponsored the Stavros Family in loving memory of John Klonaris, beloved father of Despina Stavros. May his memory be eternal! 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

Ninth Orthros Gospel
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.

Epistle Reading

20th Sunday after Pentecost
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

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Saints and Feasts

November 10

8th Sunday of Luke

November 10

Erastus, Olympas, Rodion, Sosipater, Quartus, and Tertios, Apostles of the 70

Of these Saints, Olympas and Rodion became disciples of Peter, the chief Apostle, and came to Rome, where they were beheaded by Nero. The others reposed in peace, having become bishops: Sosipater of Iconium, Quartus of Beirut, and Erastus of Paneas, or Paneias (which was also called Caesarea of Philippi); Saint Erastus had been chamberlain of the city of Corinth (Rom.16:23).

November 10

Orestes the Martyr of Cappadocia

Saint Orestes was from Tyana of Cappadocia. During the persecution of Diocletian, this Martyr's ankles were pierced with long nails; being bound to a wild horse and violently dragged by it, he gave up his spirit in the year 289.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

When a man reveres God with all his heart and with faith, he receives through God's providence the power to control anger and desire; for it is desire and anger which are the cause of all evils.
St. Antony the Great
On the Character of Men no. 12, Philokalia Vol. 1 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 331, 4th century

'The Lord your God is one Lord' (cf. Deut. 6:4), revealed in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: in the unbegotten Father; in the Son, who is begotten eternally, timelessly and impassibly as the Logos, and who through Himself anointed that which He assumed from us and so is called Christ; and in the Holy Spirit, who also comes forth from the Father, not begotten, but proceeding. This alone is God and alone is true God, the one Lord in a Trinity of Hypostases, undivided in nature, will, glory, power, energy, and all the characteristics of divinity. Him alone shall you love and Him alone shall you worship with all your mind and with all your heart and with all your strength.
St. Gregory Palamas
A New Testament Decalogue no. 1, Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 323, 14th century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, EIGHTH SUNDAY OF LUKE
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 THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH
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"  

NATIVITY PAGEANT REHEARSAL, NOVEMBER 10TH
Our pageant is slated for Dec. 15th, and it’s time to start getting organized! Mr. Kaufman invites all interested Sunday School students and parents to meet in the library today following classes. Parents may also contact Brian to learn more: [email protected].

PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING NOVEMBER 10TH & UPDATES

  • All members are invited to today’s meeting following Sunday School. Join us in the church library for planning and fellowship.  
  • Thank you to everyone who supported our Veterans Drive, which concludes today. We will let our parish family know how much we collected for local veterans and their families.
  • The One Warm Coat Drive begins November 17TH. Please bring new and/or clean, gently-used coats (child – adult sizes) to the Narthex bin through Dec. 11th. 
  • The annual Philoptochos Bake Sale is November 24TH. We are asking for your home-baked donations: cakes, pies, breads, cookies, bars, pastries and candy. If you are able to help out with the sale, please contact Nicole Riley ([email protected]) with your yummy contributions.

GOYA GIVING TREE BEGINS, NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 10TH
This year we will have a streamlined version of the Giving Tree, focusing on Target and Walmart gift cards (often requested by families served by West Side Benevolent Circle). The Giving Tree will soon be set up, so we can come pin our gift cards to it, and sign up/commit to offering a card--or two--at the GOYA Fellowship Hour table. If you can't sign up in person, contact Steve Christo ([email protected]) or Fr. Alex. 

THANKSGIVING DINNER DRIVE, NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 24TH
For the fourth year, we'll offer a Thanksgiving Dinner Drive for veterans served by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Association, along with local families (Mansfield/Attleboro area). See and share our flyer with family and friends: Thanksgiving Drive Flyer. Until the 24th, we welcome the following food items for drop off in the Narthex, as well as financial donations to purchase food (contact Fr. Alex regarding donations): 
Our goal is 30 dinners: Boxes of stuffing and instant potatoes | Canned cranberry sauce, green beans, peas and corn | Frozen pies | Frozen turkeys (will be collected closer to the 24th).

2024 CHRISTMAS CARDS SIGN UP, NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 7TH
It is that time of year again! From now until December 7th, we will be accepting sign ups for our annual Christmas Card. This is a great way to let your parish family and friends know you are thinking of them all during the holiday season. Please see our flyer for more details and donation information. 

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY FRIENDSGIVING, NOVEMBER 13TH
After our fruitful planning meeting several weeks ago, we look forward to our first regular gathering on the 13TH, 6 – 8 pm. In thanksgiving for our new ministry, we’ll enjoy a potluck meal, reflection and friendship. The evening’s study theme will soon be announced and shared. Please contact Father with your potluck offering of a main/side/dessert.

THANKSGIVING GOYA EVENTS, NOVEMBER 17TH & 24TH
GOYAns, come join us for meaningful outreach and friendship this month. On the 17TH we will shop for the Thanksgiving Dinner Drive and then on the 24th assist with organizing and delivering the food. Contact Mr. Christo to learn more: [email protected].  

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NOVEMBER 17TH
Please save the date of this important meeting of our parish family, immediately following Divine Liturgy. All committed 2024 Stewards are welcome and encouraged to attend.The agenda will soon be shared with our Stewards. 2024 Stewardship materials are available in the Narthex and within the Stewardship page of our parish website: Stewardship Program 2024 | Saint Gregory the Theologian.

PARISH COUNCIL NOMINATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 22ND
Our parish elections, for both Parish Council and the Board of Auditors, will be held Sunday, Dec. 15TH following Divine Liturgy. Several current council members will not continue in 2025, so there is a vital need for new parishioners to embrace this ministry. Nomination forms have been emailed to our parishioners and are in the Narthex; forms may be returned to Fr. Alex or the Elections Committee via the church office by November 22nd.

ORTHODOXY 101, NOVEMBER 24TH
Many thanks to all who participated in last Sunday’s Orthodoxy 101 session with Lee Morest. The group engaged the Church’s beliefs about death, the hope of the Resurrection and eternal life: very challenging but important aspects of our faith. Join Fr. Alex for the next session on the 24th during Fellowship Hour. The chapters from Introducing the Orthodox Church will soon be shared.  

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NOVEMBER 17TH
Please save the date of this important meeting of our parish family, immediately following Divine Liturgy. All committed 2024 Stewards are welcome and encouraged to attend.The agenda will soon be shared with our Stewards. 2024 Stewardship materials are available in the Narthex and within the Stewardship page of our parish website: Stewardship Program 2024 | Saint Gregory the Theologian.

FALL BOOKSTORE RECOMMENDATIONS
Our Saint Gregory Bookstore has some wonderful new offerings for the fall. Read all about them here, and visit the bookstore this Sunday.

SERVANT KEEPER GIVING PLATFORM NOW ACTIVE
Our parish has now completed the transition from Vanco to the Servant Keeper giving app. Please see our Stewardship and general Giving pages for all online giving with Servant Keeper. Please note that we are still working to delete some of the former links and references to Vanco within our website; this will take some time, and thanks for your patience. Contact Gina Drugas with any questions.

FALL STEWARDSHIP STATEMENTS NOW AVAILABLE
As always, we are so grateful to all our Stewards for their offerings of time, talent and treasure. Fall statements (sealed hard copies) are now available in the Narthex, and we will soon mail them home to those who have not been able to pick them up from Saint Gregory. Please examine yours carefully, and contact Gina in the church office with any questions.

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 Gina Drugas: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursdays: 1 - 3 pm; Fridays 7 am - 11 am. Gina is also available remotely via email or phone on Tuesdays, 8 am - 2 pm. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.

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Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    November 10 to November 24, 2024

    Sunday, November 10

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School/Pageant rehearsal

    11:30AM Philoptochos Veterans Drive (last day)

    11:30AM Thanksgiving Dinner Drive

    11:30AM Philoptochos Mtg

    Tuesday, November 12

    6:30PM Parish Council

    Wednesday, November 13

    6:30PM Men's Bible Study "Friendsgiving"

    Sunday, November 17

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School/Pageant rehearsal

    11:30AM Parish General Assembly

    11:30AM Thanksgiving Dinner Drive

    11:30AM Philoptochos One Warm Coat Drive

    Tuesday, November 19

    12:30PM Food & Friends Ministry

    Friday, November 22

    5:00PM Parish Council Nomination Forms due

    Sunday, November 24

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School/Pageant rehearsal

    11:15AM Philoptochos Bake Sale

    11:30AM Thanksgiving Dinner Drive (last day)

    11:30AM Philoptochos One Warm Coat Drive

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Coming Events & News

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Archdiocese News

Metropolis of Boston Camp (MBC) Hosts Annual Fall Camp

10/28/2024

https://www.goarch.org/-/mbc-fall-camp?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss%3F_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_currentURL%3D%252Fnews%252Frecent-news%26_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_portletAjaxable%3Dtrue

The Metropolis of Boston Camp (MBC) hosted its annual Fall Camp program from Saturday, October 12 to Monday, October 14 at the St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center Contoocook, NH. With over 200 campers and young adult staff, the program was the largest Fall Camp in MBC history.


Archbishop Elpidophoros Celebrates Name Day, Ordains Gregory Gounardes to the Diaconate

11/03/2024

https://www.goarch.org/-/gounardes-ordination?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss%3F_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_currentURL%3D%252Fnews%252Frecent-news%26_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_portletAjaxable%3Dtrue

On the occasion of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s name-day, November 2, 2024, hierarchs and clergy, Archdiocese staff, parish faithful, and Holy Cross seminarians gathered to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.


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