A Word from Father Alex

Fellow Parishioners and Friends:

Come join us this weekend at Saint Gregory. The summer is fleeting, and the more quiet time we create for ourselves close to God, His people, our family and friends the better. Hope to see you.

Read on in your eBulletin for everything coming our way, including the annual Picnic and Ministry Celebration on Sunday, Sep. 13. All are welcome.

Fondly,

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: All servers welcome
Altar Team Archangels Michael and Gabriel: Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond (Asst. Cap.) and Mark Saad
Cap., Mario Salzillo

TODAY'S MYRRHBEARER: Sydney LaFond.
Caps., Elena Salzillo and Sydney LaFond

TODAY'S NARTHEX TEAM:
Parish Council Member: Joe Cara Donna and George Psilakis.
Usher Member: Margarita Campbell.

HOMILY: “In the End is Love.” (1 Corinthians. 16:13-24)

EPISTLE: Anastasios Papadopoulos.

ALTAR FLOWERS: Altar flower sponsorships are a wonderful way to remember a loved one or celebrate a family event. Contact the Church Office for details (sponsorships are $125).

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors are welcome and needed. Sign up in the hall this weekend or use our SignUpGenius link.

KOLIVA PREPARATION: Parishioners often ask for help in preparing Koliva and may contact Gina Drugas to order a plate for a memorial ($125 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

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Epistle Reading

13th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24

Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 21:33-42

The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'"

Saints and Feasts

August 30

13th Sunday of Matthew

August 30

Apodosis of the Feast of the Forerunner

August 30

Alexander, John, and Paul the New, Patriarchs of Constantinople

Saint Alexander was sent to the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea as the delegate of Saint Metrophanes, Bishop of Constantinople (see June 4), to whose throne he succeeded in the year 325. When Arius had deceitfully professed allegiance to the Council of Nicaea, Saint Alexander, knowing his guile, refused to receive him into communion; Arius' powerful partisans threatened that they would use force to bring Arius into the communion of the Church the following day. Saint Alexander prayed fervently that God might spare the Church; and as Arius was in a privy place relieving nature, his bowels gushed forth with an effusion of blood, and the arch-heresiarch died the death of Judas. Saint Alexander was Bishop from 325 until 337, when he was succeeded by Saint Paul the Confessor, who died a martyr's death at the hands of the Arians (see Nov. 6). The Saint John commemorated here appears to be the one who was Patriarch during the years 562-577, surnamed Scholasticus, who is also commemorated on February 21. He was from Antioch, where he had been a lawyer (scholasticus); he was made presbyter, then was sent to Constantinople as representative (apocrisiarius) of the Patriarch of Antioch, and was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian. Saint Paul was Bishop of Constantinople during the years 687 - 693, in the reign of Emperor Justinian II, and presided over the Quinisext Council in 692.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Many things does He intimate by this parable, God's providence, which had been exercised towards them from the first; their murderous disposition from the beginning; that nothing had been omitted of whatever pertained to a heedful care of them;...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

And observe also both His great care, and the excessive idleness of these men for what pertained to the husbandmen, He Himself did ... and He left little for them to do; to take care of what was there, and to preserve what was given to them.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 13TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory:
Orthros, 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 AM
(Sunday School classes are on break until the fall; Fellowship Hour follows Divine Liturgy)

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA FOR THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
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 BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE, THROUGH AUG. 30
Throughout August, please bring school backpacks (boys and girls, all ages), crayons, rulers, pens, pencils and other school supplies to Saint Gregory. They can be dropped off in the Narthex donation bin. Alternatively, select items from our Amazon wishlist and have them sent directly to the church. Thanks for your support of local children and families.

PARISH PICNIC & MINISTRY CELEBRATION, SEP. 13
Our children, families and parishioners are invited to join us for our annual picnic. Families can register for Sunday School, and our GOYAns will have their first meeting of the year. If you can bring a main, side, dessert or drink item, please contact Fr. Alex. We need the following: Hamburger/hotdog buns; potato/macaroni salad; veggie platter; fruit platter/salad; other side ideas; water, juice and soda; desserts. Other "mains" are very much welcome too.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES, SEP. 20
Our teachers are busy preparing for another year of learning, faith and friendship with our children. Parents, please register your children as soon as possible via the emailed registration link, or see a Sunday School leader at the Sep. 13 picnic. We pray our children have an inspirational 2026 – 27 school year at Saint Gregory.

ORTHODOX LIFE: MIRACLES OF CHRIST, BEGINS SEP. 27
In connection to this year’s parish-wide theme focusing on the miracles of the Lord, Fr. Alex will lead us on a study of these scriptural narratives. Materials will be provided, and we will meet on select Sundays during Fellowship Hour. Coming meeting dates: Sep. 27, Oct. 11 and Oct. 28. All are welcome; no prior experience with Bible study is needed.

INSTANT CHURCH DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE TABLE
Next month we will set up a table in the fellowship hall to assist parishioners with understanding and using our new Instant Church Directory. Further, we will offer on-site photos for you and your family for use in the directory. Meantime, follow the directions within our helpful flyer to edit and personalize your profile. Contact Fr. Alex or Steve Christo with any questions.

MOMMY & ME MINISTRY
Next month (September), we are planning to launch this ministry group for younger mothers to gather in faith, support and friendship. Interested? Please contact Greta Loukos.

MAKING PROSFORA FOR SUNDAY LITURGY
Interested in making prosphora? Don't know where to start? The following link contains an annotated recipe that will help even a novice baker have success: https://tinyurl.com/mb73wtwe. Please feel free to reach out to Stephanie LaFond with any questions, and contact Fr. Alex if you would like to bake a loaf (or more) for a coming Sunday.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY 2026
Many thanks to all those Stewards who have already committed for 2026. If you have not yet had the opportunity, now would be a wonderful time. 2026 Stewardship materials are in the Narthex and available on our parish website's Stewardship page.

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., 11 am - 3 pm; Wed., 9 am - 1 pm; Thur., 9 am - 1 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 OFFICE ADMINSTRATOR
Mirna Zelic: Mon. - Fri. - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Contact Mirna: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

August 30 to September 13, 2026

Sunday, August 30

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Sunday, September 6

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, September 8

6:30PM Parish Council

Sunday, September 13

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Sunday School begins

11:30AM Parish Picnic & Ministry Celebration