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.
Fellow Parishioners and Friends:
As we look toward the Feast of the Nativity, this weekend we will have Sunday morning Orthros and Divine Liturgy as usual. Please join us for worship, Sunday School and friendship at our parish home.
Then on Tue., Dec. 24th, the Eve of the Nativity, we will celebrate Vesperal Liturgy (an opportunity to receive Holy Communion), beginning at 5 pm. We’ll also sing some carols at the end of the service—always a joyous favorite at Saint Gregory. On Wed., Dec. 25th, we will offer Orthros (8:45 am) and Divine Liturgy (9:30 am).
Please join us for services on the 24th or 25th—or both!
Together, we can welcome the “Light that shines in the darkness” (John 1:3) and invite the Christ Child into the mangers of our hearts.
Anticipating the joy and hope of the Incarnation,
Fr. Alex
ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Gabriel (Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond and Mark Saad). Cap., Mario Salzillo.
MYRRHBEARERS: Cap., Eleni LaFond.
Dec. 22nd: Georgia Stavros.
Dec. 29th: Sydney LaFond
EPISTLE: Miles Kaufman.
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.
KOLIVA PREPARATION: Parishioners often ask for help in preparing Koliva and may contact Gina Drugas to order a plate for a memorial ($100 per Koliva).
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:
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ACCESS SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
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Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.
This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name "Deliverer from Potions." Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian's minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290.
SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY
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, DECEMBER 22ND
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"
POINSETTIAS STILL NEEDED
If you were able to bring a poinsettia plant this week or today, many thanks. If you would like to bring one for the coming week’s Nativity services, please let Fr. Alex know. We can use all donated poinsettias to adorn the solea this week and into the new year.
NATIVITY PAGEANT APPRECIATION
Last Sunday, Dec. 15th, we enjoyed the annual Saint Gregory Nativity pageant. Our children and young adults did a tremendous job, offering prayerful minds and hearts to their roles. We are also grateful to our pageant leaders, Sunday School teachers, parents and volunteers who helped make the event possible. Many thanks to all for helping us remember the true reason for this holy season of the Nativity. A blessed Christmas to our parish family and friends.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
Many thanks to our Stewardship Committee for last Sunday’s thoughtful and inspirational presentation on our 2025 theme, “Your Own of Your Own.” As we move toward the Nativity of the Lord and the great Feast of Epiphany, we kindly ask our Stewards to read over our 2025 materials package and prayerfully complete and return 2025 Commitment Cards as soon as possible. This not only helps us plan for and support our parish ministries but is also a visible symbol of our Eucharistic community: we are united in worship and dedication to the Gospel. The Stewardship pages of our parish website will soon be updated with our 2025 materials, and please let Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond ([email protected]) know if you did not receive your new Stewardship package yet. Many thanks to all for your commitment to Saint Gregory!
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Last week, we prayerfully confirmed our new Parish Council candidates: Steve Christo, Steve Drugas, Phil LaFond, Greta Loukos, George Psilakis and Lou Zagami. We thank these dedicated Stewards for their time and service, along with those ongoing and outgoing members. Once our elections are ratified by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, we will pick a Sunday to hold the Parish Council pledge. Congratulations to our 2025 candidates!
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.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School
Eve of the Nativity
5:00PM Vesperal Liturgy
Nativity of the Lord
8:45AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM No Sunday School
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School
Many thanks to the sponsors of our 29th Annual Tournament!
Please see the attached PDF on how to set up your weekly donations through Servant Keeper's online giving platform.
Did you know that the Nativity Fast prepares us to experience the true meaning of Christmas?