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.
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."
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.
Young Adult Meeting
Inviting all young adults (High School graduates to 30 years of age) to a meeting following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Sept. 7th in the Conference Room. Join us as we gather to grow in our Orthodox Christian faith, working together in supporting the Ministries of our Parish. All are welcome.
Basil Needed
Please bring Basil on September 13th to the Church to be used for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross service on Sunday, September 14. Or by 8:00am on 14th.
Ministry Fair
Sunday September 14th following Divine Liturgy in the Community Hall. Come and sign up for all the beautiful ministries our parish has to offer!
Catechism School
The first day of catechism school is September 21st, followed by our Parish-wide Picnic on our lawn!
We are in need of catechism school teachers. You will be co-teaching in a supportive and flexible environment. Please contact Tasha Kardaris at [email protected] or (203) 554-1712.
Sunday Collection Basket
We are very thankful for the support of so many families and individuals who financially support the Ministries of our Assumption Church. Your Stewardship Commitment and donations for candles, Feast Days and special offerings help our Church meet the Yearly Budget. Our Parish Council has decided to continue placing the traditional Collection Basket on a table in the Narthex. Parishioners and visitors may offer a donation if they wish following Divine Liturgy and other Services as they exit the Church. Thank you for your gifts that support the many Ministries and programs of our Church. God Bless you.
The VOICE OF THE LORD - www.apostoliki-diakonia.gr
THE BOAST OF THE CROSS
Today, in the Epistle reading, we heard Paul boasting about the Cross of Christ. Earlier, he had said that he had no reason to boast, neither about his missionary struggles, nor about the sufferings and tortures he endured for the love of Jesus. There is only one thing he can boast about: the Cross of Christ, the life-giving wood!
The Cross: the measure of divine love
For Christians, the Cross is not a scandal or foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23), as the Jews and pagans respectively claimed, but our great boast. This is true for three main reasons: First, because on the Cross, the immeasurable love of God for man was expressed. It was so great that He offered His Only Begotten Son as a sacrifice, so that every person who believes in Him may gain eternal life. Thus, it is the measure of God’s infinite love for man – a love that ultimately has no measure.
Likewise, Christ’s love for humanity has no measure, for “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Christ willingly sacrificed His life out of love for humanity, to liberate us from the tyranny of the devil.
The Cross: the defeat of death
The second reason is that on the Cross, death was defeated. Those who planned and executed the greatest crime of all time believed that by raising Christ on the Cross, they would rid themselves of His presence. The devil also had the same sense, as he had often tried to tempt Christ and cast Him down from the heights of His divinity. He thought that by Christ ascending the Cross, He would be defeated by his power. But how could the executioners of Christ and the devil have imagined that the Lord willingly guided His steps to the Cross? It was not Christ who followed events, obeying the plans of men for Him.
He Himself directed the course of events. Voluntarily, Christ led Himself to the Cross, and thus, through His own death, He conquered human death. He defeated the dominion of the devil, who leads humanity toward annihilation of his soul and spiritual death. That is why Christ “trampled down death by death” – He overcame death through His own death.
The Cross: prerequisite of the Resurrection
The third reason why the Cross of Christ is the boast of Christians is the fact that the Cross is the prerequisite of the Resurrection. If Christ had not drunk the bitter cup of pain and had not endured a shameful death on the Cross, then there would be no Resurrection – and that would be the greatest tragedy of the human race. There would be no salvation, there would be no redemption. This is the great message of the Cross in every age. If Christ had died definitively on the Cross, it would have been a universal human tragedy. But the fact that Christ “rose from the dead” constitutes the salvation of the human race.
Therefore, the message sent by the God-Man through His crucifixion concerns every person who is crucified in this life. And all of us, in one way or another, carry our own cross. Christ tells us: “In the world you will have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The human perspective is not rooted in this life, but in eternity, and this perspective is justified through the crucifictory death and resurrection of Christ. That is why, every time life’s trials attempt to overwhelm our existence, we must turn the eyes of our soul toward the Cross of Christ. From it, we will draw strength and hope to overcome difficulties, to conquer our problems, and to rise again from the many forms of death we face. Amen!
Archimandrite E. Oik.
A weekly pamphlet of Orthodox faith and life of the "Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece"
Adult Choir
Welcome back Adult Choir! This Sunday, September 7 is our first week back. All those interested in singing, please join Cindy Ziemnicki in the conference room for a pre-Liturgy warm-up at 9:30 am. New members are welcome!
Youth Choir
All 8 - 18 year old children & teens interested in singing in the Youth Choir (returning, as well as new members) please sign up at Youth Ministry Fair on September 14th and visit the Youth Choir table to receive important informational handouts. First Sunday back for Youth Choir will be on October 5 - National Church Music Sunday.
All GOYA members (7th grade & up) are invited to our overnight campout on the church grounds! Join us for games, campfire fun, worship, and fellowship. Please take a look at the flyer and Signup Genius for details, including the packing list and instructions on how to sign up to attend.
GOYA Campout – Sept. 20–21!
All GOYA members (7th grade & up) are invited to our overnight campout on the church grounds! Join us for games, campfire fun, worship, and fellowship. Please take a look at the flyer and Signup Genius for details, including the packing list and instructions on how to sign up to attend.
Our September meeting is on Monday, September 8 at 6:30.
Sunday we have a collection for our monthly obligations - 1. Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross commitment provides tuition scholarships to worthy and dedicated students, both men and women at Hellenic College and seminarians at Holy Cross, to assist with tuition expenses. 2. Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres Benevolent Fund (RCA) - Provides financial support to retired clergy and widowed presvyteres. Philoptochos funds also provide short-term support for clergy and their families in times of crisis, responding to critical needs such as uncovered medical expenses, rent, utilities, and insurance.
Agape fellowship Hosting Sign Up for 2025-2025 is ready. Please look at your calendars and volunteer for a Sunday https://www.signupgenius.com/
FOT 2025 will be held on Saturday, November 8. If you are interested in hosting a table or offering a raffle item kindly sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/
Please click on flyer for details.
Pray with us by subscribing to the Assumption YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@assumptionchurchdanbury
Or by visiting our Assumption page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/assumptiongreekorthodoxchurch/videos
Live events will be streamed on both these services on programmed service hours.
Sunday before Holy Cross
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
6:30PM Ladies Philoptochos Meeting
11:00AM Funeral
12:00PM Baptism
🍇 The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:45AM Ministry Fair
7:00PM Parish Council Meeting
Sunday after Holy Cross
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
2:00PM Wedding
Hall rented
1st Sunday of Luke
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
6:30PM Ladies Philoptochos Meeting
2nd Sunday of Luke
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy