A Word from Father Alex

Fellow Parishioners and Friends:

Last Sunday was wonderful at Saint Gregory. I was overjoyed to see so many of our children present for the youth homily and the blessing for the first day of Sunday School. From all reports, the first day of Sunday School classes was excellent, full of learning, grown in the faith and fun.

I also enjoyed spending time with our Myrrhbearers and Altar servers after Sunday School. It was nice to spend the time together and reconnect.

This Sunday, I hope all our GOYAns will join me for a special discussion session after Sunday School (looks like we will be rained out of our planned Flint Farm trip). We also have our Philoptochos Open House, along with our first day of Orthodox Life, which will focus on the Marriage at Cana in Galilee. Lee Morest will lead, as I will be spending time with our GOYAns.

Happy fall—calendar and weather-wise—and I look forward to seeing you Sunday,

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: Nomiki Steeves.
Caps., Elena Salzillo and Sydney LaFond

TODAY'S NARTHEX TEAM:
Parish Council Member: Joe CaraDonna and George Psilakis.
Usher Member: Maria Orfanos.

HOMILY: “A Good Day Fishing" (Luke 5:1-11).

EPISTLE: John Chani.

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: Offered by the Vinton Family in loving memory of Georgette and Anthony Panagacos. Please join us for the Ministry Celebration immediately following Divine Liturgy.

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

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.

Epistle Reading

17th Sunday after Pentecost
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1

Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Saints and Feasts

September 27

1st Sunday of Luke

September 27

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.

September 27

Mark, Aristarchos, and Zenon, Apostles of the 70

Wisdom of the Fathers

For now they were well instructed beforehand...But mark both their faith and their obedience. For though they were in the midst of their work when they heard His command, they delayed not, they procrastinated not, they said not, "let us return home, and converse with our kinsfolk," but "they forsook all and followed."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Because such is the obedience which Christ seeks of us, as that we delay not even a moment of time, though something absolutely most needful should vehemently press on us.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1ST SUNDAY OF LUKE
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory:
Orthros, 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 AM
- Philoptochos Open House
- Philanthropy Committee mtg.
- Orthodox Life
- GOYA Session with Fr. Alex
- Fellowship Hour follows Divine Liturgy)

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA FOR THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
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 OPEN HOUSE, TODAY
Please join us for our annual open house after Divine Liturgy. Stop by our informative tables on your way to Fellowship Hour to see what we have been up to and what we have in store for the rest of the year. Also, please make your way over to our membership table, sign up for the 2026 calendar year and grab a sweet treat. All are welcome to join our fun and welcoming group.

GOYA ORTHODOX LIFE SESSION, TODAY (OUTING POSTPONED)
With the expected rainy weather, we will need to postpone today’s planned trip to Flint Farm. Instead, Fr. Alex will lead an Orthodox Life session for our GOYAns in the high school classroom. After Sunday School, please bring grab a bite and meet Fr. Alex upstairs for learning in the Orthodox Faith.

INSTANT CHURCH DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE, TODAY
As last week, during Fellowship Hour today, we will have an Instant Church Directory table setup to assist parishioners with the new online directory. Further, we will offer on-site photos for you and your family for use in the directory in the weeks to come. Contact Steve Christo ([email protected]) or Fr. Alex with any questions.

ORTHODOX LIFE: MIRACLES OF CHRIST, BEGINS TODAY
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. Today’s guest speaker will be Lee Morest, as Father will be spending time with our GOYAns. All are welcome; no prior experience with Bible study is needed. Please meet Lee in the Library during Fellowship Hour. The topic will be the Miracle at Cana in Galilee.

MOMMY & ME MINISTRY, OCT. 4
If you are a mom of babies, toddlers or young children (pre-Sunday School age) our new Mommy & Me group will get together after Divine Liturgy on Oct. 4. This will be a fun way to get to know other moms at Saint Gregory and, of course, for our little ones to play together. Please contact Greta Loukos to learn more or help grow this ministry: [email protected].

PARISH OUTDOOR CLEAN-UP DAY, OCT. 17
All parishioners are invited to help with this clean-up effort aimed at our parish “yard.” Specifically, we will focus on the removal of vines climbing up the back brick wall of the church. Contact Lou Zagami to learn more and join the effort: 443.519.9420.

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC, NOV. 1
This year's tournament will once again be at Canton's Top Golf. Casual golfing, a Tex-Mex dinner, friendship and more are on the agenda. Learn more, support and register here

PROSFORA
Baking Prosfora is a great way to connect to the liturgical life of our parish, and we always need new bakers to support this ministry. Would you like to try and bake several for a coming Sunday or even lead a small group interested in learning about the process? Please contact Fr. Alex.

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 Margarita Campbell 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

September 27 to October 11, 2026

Sunday, September 27

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

11:15AM Philanthropy Committee mtg

11:30AM Philoptochos Open House

Sunday, October 4

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

11:30AM Sunday School Teacher Workshop

Wednesday, October 7

6:30PM Men's Bible Study

Sunday, October 11

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School