Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2025-03-02
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

Beloved Parishioners and Friends:

We are now on the threshold of Great Lent, which begins Monday, March 3rd. This Sunday is called “Forgiveness Sunday,” a day to reflect on our lives, to be grateful for the forgiveness of God, to grant and accept forgiveness within our relationships and to approach Lent with great resolve. Please join us for worship, friendship and mutual strength in faith on this holy day.

Also this Sunday, we’ll have two very special events: a visit from Donna Levas of OCF and “Souper” Bowl Sunday. Donna, OCF’s Advancement Manager, will join us for services and share the good news about Orthodox college ministry. Of course, we’ll celebrate the “Souper” Bowl by passing the soup pots for IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities). Please see the Narthex bin for your food donations and bring some extra funds for the soup pots. Our GOYAns will take our food donations to Mansfield Food Pantry after Sunday School.

During Fellowship Hour, Philoptochos members will gather for a meeting, and we are all invited to the hall for friendship and refreshments after Divine Liturgy. Again, please join us at Saint Gregory this weekend. It’s never the same without you and yours at our parish home.

Wishing you a transformational Lenten journey,

Fr. Alex

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Sunday Notes

TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Gabriel.
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: Krista Johnson.
Cap., Eleni LaFond. 

YOUTH HOMILY: Offered by Lee Morest.

TODAY'S EPISTLE: Joe Cara Donna.

MEMORIAL: Stephen Polychrones (1 yr); Stephen Makos (3 yrs.); Odysseus Makos (40 yrs.); and Anna Makos (20 yrs.). May their memory be eternal!

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Sponsored by the LaFond and Gagne Families in loving memory of Stephen Polychrones and Stephen, Odysseus and Anna Makos. Following Divine Liturgy, join us for refreshments and friendship in the parish hall. This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our SignUpGenius link. 

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).

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

Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. After this He appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table and He upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Epistle Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

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Saints and Feasts

March 02

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

March 02

Hesychius the Martyr

Holy martyr Hesychius lived during the reign of king Maximian in 302. He was the first and the leader in the royal palace and the Senate, because he was magistrianus by office. When Maximian ordered that all Christians who were royal soldiers ought to be deprived of their belts (which were a sign of their royal merit) and live as civilians and without honour, many Christians preferred to live without any outward honour due to this illegal order than to be honoured and lose their soul. St. Hesychius was numbered with these Christians as well. When the king heard this, he ordered that the saint ought to be stripped of the expensive clothes, which he used to wear, and be dressed with a shabby mantle without sleeves woven from hair and to be as disgraced and disdained as to consort with women.

When this had been carried out, the king invited him and asked him: "Aren't you ashamed, Hesychius, that you lost the honour and office of magistrianus and that you have been debased to this kind of life? Or maybe you don't know that the Christians, whose way of life you preferred, have no power to restore you to your previous great honour and office?" The saint replied: "Your honour, o king, is temporary but the honour and glory which Christ gives is eternal and without end." Because of these words the king got angry and ordered his men to tie a great millstone around the saint's neck and then to throw him in the middle of river Orontus, which lies in Coele Syria and which is commonly called Oronge. Thus, the blessed man received the crown of martyrdom from the Lord.

March 02

Our Holy Father Nicholas Planas

 

Saint Nicholas Planas was born in 1851 A.D. on the island of Naxos in Greece. He was married as a teenager and soon after ordained to the diaconate and then the priesthood. His wife reposed soon after and so he assumed the burden of being a widowed father and a parish priest. He was known for his zeal in serving the liturgy, especially his habit of serving the Divine Liturgy every day for 50 years. Many altar boys would see him radiating light or raised off the ground while serving the liturgy. Being so revered by his parishioners, he became known as “Papa,” which is an affectionate term for a parish priest. Papa Nicholas reposed in 1932 and was formally canonized as a saint in 1992.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND, FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
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 FOR THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND
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" 

VISIT FROM DONNA LEVAS OF OCF, THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND
Welcome to Donna Levas! Donna is the Advancement Manager for OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship). OCF provides rich community experiences for college students, inspiring a life-long love of God and neighbor. Through weekend retreats, virtual gatherings and the work of over 250 on-campus chapters, OCF offers students an invitation to thrive. To learn more or offer a gift, visit ocf.net/donate.

“SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY & GOYA OUTING, THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND
We will pass the “Souper” Pots for IOCC today—please give generously to this vital pan-Orthodox institution. This is also the last day to offer non-perishable food items for Mansfield Food Pantry. After Sunday School, our GOYAns will take our food donations to the pantry and spend time with their dedicated staff.

PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING THIS SUNDAY MARCH 2ND & MORE
***The Philoptochos general meeting is this Sunday following Divine Liturgy. All are welcome to join as we plan for upcoming events and elections.
***Thank you to all who baked for—and ate their way through—the Cookie Walk last Sunday! It was our most successful walk to date.
***Mark your calendars for March 16th, when Joan Maimonis will offer her inventory of brand new Tupperware in a special “cash (or check) and carry” sale to benefit Philoptochos.

3RD SOUL SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH
Join us for Divine Liturgy and the memorial on the 8th, and please let Fr. Alex know if you are able to bring koliva. List of names (just first names needed) may be emailed to Father, dropped off at the office or brought on the days of the services. Listing forms are available in the Narthex for your convenience.

LENTEN & HOLY WEEK FLOWER DONATIONS
With the approach of Great Lent, we are now accepting funds to decorate our holy space for our divine services. Immediate needs include the icon of Theotokos and Child for the Salutations services and the Holy Cross tray for mid-Lent. Please see the sign-up form (FlowerNeedsDonationFormfor2025-0.pdf) and contact the church office to confirm your offering.

ORTHODOXY 101: “THE BIBLE & OUR SAINTS,” MARCH 16TH
Join Fr. Alex for this final session of Orthodoxy 101 during Fellowship Hour. We will wrap up our study of Introducing the Orthodox Church (begun last fall), reflect upon the place of scripture and the saints in our faith and make plans for post-Pascha sessions. All are welcome, and we will be focusing on pgs. 197-240 of our book.

HOPE/JOY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY EVENT, MARCH 22ND
Children grades K - 6th are invited to join us for learning, enrichment and lots of fun. We will take a look at the real-life story of Saint Patrick, enjoy a pizza lunch, decorate cookies and much more. See our flyer and save the date.

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, MARCH 23RD
Please save the date for this important meeting of our parish family. An agenda will soon be available and emailed to our Stewards.

SAINT GREGORY ORATORICAL FESTIVAL, MARCH 30TH
Plans are being made for our parish festival, and many thanks to Brian Hess for once again serving as chair for this exciting youth event. Topics and materials will be shared with our Sunday School classes this week. Parents, please save the date and encourage your children to participate fully.

PARASCO SERVICE/ENRICHMENT SCHOLARSHIP APPS., DUE MARCH 31ST
High schoolers and graduating high school seniors interested in participating in Orthodox service or enrichment programs are invited to apply for this scholarship. The details and approved institutions are outlined here, and the application is due by March 31st. Please contact Fr. Alex with any questions.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY 2025 
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 2025 materials:
Stewardship Program 2025 | 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, Thursday, & Friday: 1 - 3 pm; Wednesday: 7:30 am - 11:30 am. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.

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Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    March 2 to March 16, 2025

    Sunday, March 2

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

    10:45AM OCF Visit

    11:15AM "Souper" Bowl Sunday Event

    11:15AM GOYA Food Pantry trip

    Monday, March 3

    Great Lent begins

    Wednesday, March 5

    9:00AM PreSanctified Liturgy

    Friday, March 7

    6:30PM Salutations Service

    Saturday, March 8

    3rd Soul Saturday

    8:45AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy & Memorial

    Sunday, March 9

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

    11:00AM Sunday of Orthodoxy icon procession

    Tuesday, March 11

    6:30PM Parish Council

    Wednesday, March 12

    6:00PM PreSanctified Liturgy

    Friday, March 14

    6:30PM Salutations Service

    Sunday, March 16

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

    11:15AM Orthodoxy 101: The Bible & Our Saints

    11:15AM Tupperware Sale

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Coming Events & News

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Archdiocese News

A Pilgrimage of Peace, Simplicity and Stillness: The Life-Changing Journey of 27 Pilgrims

02/25/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/boston-athos?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

6 days. 144 hours. Endless reflection. This past December, 27 young adults and members of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston journeyed to Mt. Athos, as part of a pilgrimage of faith.


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