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.
A blessed New Year and Holy Theophany to our parish family!
In the wake of our beautiful Christmas and New Year services, I hope to see you at Saint Gregory this weekend.
Each year, Holy Theophany is celebrated on Jan. 6, commemorating the Lord’s baptistism in the Jordan and the confirmation of the Holy Trinity. This year as the Eve of Theophany falls on a Sunday, and so our faithful can experience the feast, in lieu of a service on Monday we will offer an abbreviated Theophany service at the close of Divine Liturgy. Together, we will commemorate the baptism of the Lord, invoke His blessing upon us and the water and invite the cleansing water of His baptism into our hearts. After the service, we can receive Holy Water to take home or consume.
As last year and in the weeks to come, I would love to bless as many households of our parish as possible. Please contact me directly to make a date. I can be in and out of your home in about ten minutes, so you don’t have to put aside a lot of time. Blessing our homes is a way to bring the powerful Feast of Theophany into our lives; it is a service of great hope and comfort. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Alex
TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Michael.
Parish Altar Team Members
Altar Team Archangel Michael: Matthew Cromack, AJ Georgilas (Asst. Cap.) and Matthew Georgilas
Altar Team Archangel Gabriel: Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond (Asst. Cap.) and Mark Saad
Cap., Mario Salzillo
TODAY'S MYRRHBEARER: Georgia Stavros.
Cap., Eleni LaFond
TODAY'S EPISTLE: Parish chanters.
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: Sponsored by Kristin and Bill Lewis in celebration of the new year. 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
Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53
At that time, having risen from the dead, Jesus went up and stood among His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of broiled fish [and some honeycomb], and He took it and ate before them. Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name in all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
When the persecution of Diocletian broke out in 290, Saint Theopemptus, a bishop, was taken for his confession of Christ, and convicted Diocletian to his face for his error and ungodliness. Remaining unhurt after cruel tortures, he was given poison to drink, which had been prepared by a sorcerer named Theonas. Protected by divine grace from this also, he drew Theonas to Christ, and after other torments, was beheaded. Saint Theonas was cast into a pit and buried alive.
SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, JAN. 5TH, SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY
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, JAN. 5TH
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"
PHILOPTOCHOS TRAY FOR SAINT BASIL ACADEMY, TODAY
New York’s Saint Basil Academy is a non-profit philanthropic organization that serves the needs of children and young adults in difficult circumstances. Today our Philoptochos members will pass a tray in support of this vital institution of our Archdiocese. May the prayers of Saint Basil the great inspire us all and guide the children, young adults and staff of the academy.
PHILOPTOCHOS MTG., TODAY
Following Sunday School today, all Philoptochos members are invited to the parish library for a general meeting.
PARISH FEAST DAY EVENTS: JAN. 24TH - 26TH
Each year our parish feast day is Jan. 25th. This is a time to give thanks for Saint Gregory the Theologian, to reflect on his importance as a leader of the ancient Church and to learn more about his God-inspired teachings. This is also an occasion to welcome local clergy and parishioners to our parish to celebrate with us. With these things in mind, please save these dates and spread the word to family and friends:
***Jan. 24th, 6 pm: Great Vespers & Reception
***Jan. 25th: Orthros & Divine Liturgy (usual times)
***Jan. 26th: Regular Sunday services and feast-day brunch
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
Several weeks ago on Stewardship Sunday, Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond launched our 2025 Stewardship Ministry campaign, sharing insights on the year’s theme and offering gratitude for the dedicated Stewards of Saint Gregory. Many thanks to all those Stewards who have helped us “finish strong” for 2024. As we move into the new year, we hope and pray God will help us embrace parish giving with renewed enthusiasm and commitment. With this year’s theme in mind (“Your Own of Your Own”), may we all discover the love and dedication to offer our heartfelt gifts to the Lord’s church. Visit the Stewardship pages of our parish website to learn more about Stewardship and to access our forthcoming 2025 online materials: Stewardship Program 2024 | Saint Gregory the Theologian
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 on Tuesdays, 8 am - 2 pm. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy & Theophany Service
10:30AM Sunday School
11:30AM Philoptochos Mtg
Saint John the Baptist
8:45AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School
6:30PM Parish Council
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.
Yesterday, January 1, 2025, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America rang in the new year at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, New York, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy alongside the V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert.