Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy 10am
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. 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 Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. 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 Γαλάτας 6:11-18.
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.
Please pray for our brothers and sisters: Christina, Malina, Athena, Ivana, Deborah, Nicholas, Christine, Yakov, Anna Maria, Joanne, Eva, John, Irene, Diane. We will keep the names for about six months unless the situation is resolved.
Regular Hours - September 8th - Regular hours will resume on Sunday, September 8th with the start of Sunday School. Orthros will begin at 9am followed by Divine Liturgy at 10am.
Sunday School - September 8th - On Sunday, September 8th, we welcome back all of our Sunday School students and their families. Father will bless students and their backpacks! Please come with your backback to recieve back to school blessings! Please fill in a registration form in the narthex.
September GLAS Meeting - Sunday Sept 8th - The next Greek Ladies Aid Association will be held immediately after chuch on Sunday, Sept 8th. Please grab a cup of coffee and treat and join us in the Conference Room where we will plan our annual coffee hour in celebration of the Elevation of the Cross on Sunday, September 15th. Thank you.
Collection for Holy Cross School of Theology - the Ladies will pass a special tray this Sunday and next Sunday to collect donations for our Seminary on the Feast of the Cross. Please be generous in supporting the only seminary of our Archdiocese!
Festival Thank you Cruise : Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-7:30pm. Through the generosity of George Charos, owner of Captain's Lady, we resume our tradition of offering a thank you cruise for our Festival volunteers. Please spread out the word to all those who helped. Parishioners and friends welcome, but please RSVP with Diana Uttley at 978-992-1630 or [email protected]. Departure from the tip of Plum Island.
Save the date: Saturday October 5th, afternoon and evening - Greek-to-Go and Fundraising Dinner The Planning Committee is excited to invite you to participate in any way that would be fun for you to support “This Is Our House” the capital campaign to maintain and improve our buildings and grounds. Please donate a bit of your time (just as much or as little as you will enjoy) or dine with us at our Mediterranean & Greek four course dinner in Nicholson Hall. Or do both if it pleases you! The dinner will have options of AGOC Festival lamb shank (limited to only 100) served with AGOC Festival green beans, as well as a option of a seafood entrée and or a vegan entrée. All entrees will be accompanied by an assortment of phyllo appetizers and dips, followed by a Greek salad, and the choice on entrée. Dessert will also be served. We have received our liquor license and will be offering Greek beers, wines, Ouzo and Metaxa for purchase as well. All entrees will be available for take-out as will some limited other items.
While we have a few people committed to making this event a success (Arthur H is signed up to be behind the bar, Andrea J in the kitchen so far, Rick on clean up and prep, Lucia managing the sign up genius and Joanna take out, Alexandru on photos documentation) many hands will make light work of the preparation and service so, please take a look at our Sign-up Genius to see if you would like to participate in one or more of the volunteer dates and times. The ordering page for this preorder prepaid reservation only event is expected to go live on or before September 10th.
St. Basil's Ministries - Calling All Bakers!
Each Monday, St. Basil’s Ministries serves delicious meals to about 40 community guests, and it’s always a treat to end each meal with something sweet. St. Basil’s is looking for bakers who would be willing to select a Monday to provide that sweet treat! Cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pie, cake...the sky’s the limit! No time to bake? Head to the freezer section in your local grocery store and grab some ice cream sandwiches, Dixie Cups, ice cream bars…now who doesn’t like ice cream? Please contact Daphne Tikellis at 978-270-6089 to be put on the “dessert schedule.” This is a great opportunity to be part of a wonderful ministry!
Elevation of the Cross Liturgy and Procession on Saturday, September 14 at 9:30am. You are welcome to bring a little basil on Saturday or Sunday morning, when we repeat the Procession.
Morning services this week on Tuesday and Thursday. Service starts at 8:45am and on Thursday we have chant practice at 9:15am. Everyone is welcome, including complete beginners. There are always opportunities to read during the abridged Orthros.
Thank you to Melinda Patrick for providing the prosphoro today.
9:00AM Matins (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
8:45AM Morning service
8:45AM Morning service
9:15AM Chant practice
9:30AM Elevation of the Cross Liturgy
9:00AM Matins (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
7:00PM Bible study
8:45AM Morning service
8:45AM Morning service
9:15AM Chant practice
7:00PM Parish Council Meeting
9:00AM Matins (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy