Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Tone

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb and those who guarded You became as though dead, and standing by Your sepulcher was Mary seeking Your pure and sacred body. For You did vanquish Hades and uncorrupted by its touch, You came unto the virgin woman bestowing the gift of life. O You who rose from the dead, Lord, we give glory to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the 1st Tone

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

To you, defender and commander in a time of war, I, your City, offer gratitude for victory, for you rescued me from suff'rings, O Theotokos. Since the power you possess is unassailable, from all dangers I entreat you to deliver me, that I may cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

Saints and Feasts

March 23

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

March 23

The Holy Righteous Martyr Nicon and His 199 Disciples

Saint Nicon was from Neapolis (Naples) in Italy. His father was an idolater and his mother a Christian. At first he was a soldier, but later he went to the East, where he was baptized and in time became a bishop. After some years, he returned to the West and came to Sicily, where he and many of his disciples were put to death by beheading because they would not worship the idols.

March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

March 27

Martyr Matrona of Thessaloniki

This martyr was the servant of a certain Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the Governor of Thessalonica. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the synagogue Pantilla beat her so severly that she died in a few days, and thus received the crown of her confession.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Plagal 2nd Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6.

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Parish News and Events

Fellowship Hour

Today's Fellowship Hour is offered by Anestis and Angie Kalampalikis. Thank You!

Schedule of Lenten Services

Mondays 6:30 pm--Great Compline

Wednesdays 6:30 pm--Pre-Sanctified Liturgy (if you wish to receive Communion, complete fasting from after a light lunch until the service); followed by our Lenten Pot Luck and a catechetical talk

First 5 Fridays 6:30 pm--The Salutations (Chairetismoi) to the Theotokos, followed by a Lenten Tea

Theolotea

Our monthly Theolotea (combination of Theology and Tea Time!) will take place after Liturgy on the Annunciation, March 25. We will be talking about the meaning of the Lenten Services, especially the Presanctified Liturgy. All are welcome to enjoy some fellowship and learning!

Thanks!

The response to the Coalition against Homelessness's appeal for hand towels and wash cloths was overwhelming. Thanks to everyone for such generosity!

Spring General Assembly

Our Spring General Assembly will take place on Sunday, April 6, around noon. All the Stewards of our Parish are invited to take part and exercise their role as stewards of the parish.

The St. Paisios Prayer Warriors

Since prayer is a vital part both of parish life and the discipline of Lent, we are going to revive our St. Paisios Prayer Warriors. If anyone is interested in being a part of this prayer ministry please join our meeting next Sunday, March 23, during Fellowship. We are looking especially for ideas of what we can do as a group and how we want to be organized. If you are interested and cannot make the meeting, please let Father know!

District Lenten Retreat

Our Metropolis District will be getting together at 6:00 pm on Friday, March 28 (the 4th Part of the Salutations to the Theotokos) at St. George Cathedral in Manchester (that means we will not be having the Salutations in Concord that evening). After the Salutations there will be a light dinner and a talk by Mike Sintros. There will also be activities for the children. Please plan to join us for an evening of fellowship and reflection.

Greek Independence Day Celebrations

We will have our parish Greek Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, March 30, during Fellowship. Please come and support our children's presentation and efforts!

The celebration at the State House with the Governor will take place on Thursday, March 27, at 4:00 pm. All are invited to come to celebrate and witness the Governor's Greek Independence Day Proclamation.

Plan to Come!

Presbytera Dr. Jeannie Constantinou (author of Thinking Orthodox and The Crucifixiion of the King of Glory) will be giving a series of talks on Thinking Orthodox: Ancient Answers to Modern Questions on Saturday, May 3 at the St Methodios Retreat Center at our Metropolis Camp in Contoocook. There will simultaneously be events for our GOYAns and Young Adults, as well as one of the sessions geared especially for them. Please keep an eye out for more details and plan to come!

On-Line Monthly Bulletin

We are transitioning to mainly distributing our Monthly Bulletin on line. If you would like a print copy and do not have a printer of your own, there will be bulletins to pick up in the Church Hall. If you know of anyone who would like a print copy and cannot come to church to pick it up, please let Father know so we can mail a copy.

Mark Your Calendar!

March 23--Choir Rehearsal

March 23--St. Paisios Prayer Warriors Meeting

March 25--The Annunciation--Liturgy followed by Theolotea

March 29--Choir Rehearsal (10:30-12:00)

April 6--General Assembly

April 12--Saturday of Lazaros--Palm Cross Making; Choir Rehearsal; Altar Boy and Myrrh-bearing Women Rehearsal

April 18--Holy Friday--Decorating the Kouvouklion; Children's Retreat (Absence from school forms will be available)

May 3--Day of Reflection, Thinking Orthodox: Ancient Answers to Modern Questions with Presbytera Dr. Jeannie Constantinou at the St. Methodios Retreat Center, Contoocook (more information to come).

May 4--Parish Liturgy at the St. George Chapel at the St. Methodios Camp and Retreat Center, Contoocook

Parish Events of the Week

Sunday, March 23--3rd Sunday of Great Lent / The Veneration of Precious and Life-Giving Cross

9:45--Making Catechumens--the Hodgman Family and Connor Nixon

10:00 am--Divine Liturgy

at the end of Liturgy--Procession and Service of Veneration of the Cross

Choir Rehearsal

Meeting of the Prayer Warriors of St. Paisios

Monday, March 24

No Great Compline today due to the Feastday

Tuesday, March 25--The Annunciation of the Theotokos

10:00 am--Divine Liturgy

11:15 am--Theolotea

Wednesday, March 26

6:30 pm--Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Pot Luck and Orthodox Book recommendation

Thursday, March 27

7:30 pm--Introduction to Orthodoxy

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82499652458?pwd=GQIvowXaXtL4o49auBIrRSjYDMUGJZ.1

Friday, March 28

6:00 pm--4th Stasis of the Salutations to the Theotokos at St. George Cathedral, Manchester, followed by a Lenten Dinner and Adult and Children Retreat

Sunday, March 30--4th Sunday of Great Lent / St. John, the Author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent

no Orthros

10:00 am--Divine Liturgy

Memorial Service: Susan Condodemetraky