Services at St. Andrew

ATTENTION!

Please note that the church parking lot entrance will not be accessible due to ongoing construction. We ask that everyone enter the parking lot through the parking lot EXIT area instead.
Additionally, the church's main entrance will not be accessible due to construction taking place on the front sidewalks and cement areas! Everyone is asked to please enter through the lobby/office entrance, and then proceed upstairs. The elevator is available for those who need it.
Members of the Parish Council will be here to guide you. We thank you for your patience as we continue to work on improving our church in order to better serve our community!

SUNDAY, 9/20

@8:15aM Orthros & @9:30aM Divine Liturgy
+Sunday after the Holy Cross

Memorial Service
A 40-Day Memorial Service will be prayed for the repose of the soul of +Nicholas Margaronis, beloved brother of Angela Rowe and Stacey Theodorakis.

A Memorial Service will be prayed for the repose of the souls of +Nikolaos Theodorakis and +Maria Theodorakis, beloved mother and father of Angela Rowe and Stacey Theodorakis.

May their Memory be eternal. Αιωνία η μνήμη αυτών.

Divine Services

Sunday, 9/20 @8:15am Orthros & @9:30am Divine Liturgy:
+Sunday after the Holy Cross

Tuesday, 9/22 @8am Orthros & @9am Divine Liturgy:
+St. Phocas the Hieromartyr

Wednesday, 9/23 @8am Orthros & @9am Divine Liturgy:
+Conception of St. John the Baptist

Saturday, 9/26 @8am Orthros & @9am Divine Liturgy:
+Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

Sunday, 9/27 @8:15am Orthros & @9:30am Divine Liturgy:
+1^st Sunday of Luke

LIVE OUR services HERE
Find OUr Written prayers and services HERE

Metropolis Celebration of the Holy Cross
(Annual Dive for Cross) at St. George in Ocean Twp, NJ
Today, September 20th after Divine Liturgy (9am)

DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE KICK-OFF MEETING
Join us today, September 20th, after church (12pm)!

Sunday School is in session!
If you have not yet registered your child(ren) for this year, please CLICK HERE

GOYA Basketball Practice has begun!
The next practice is September 23rd from 6:30pm-8pm.

GOYA Volleyball Practice
will be held on Tuesdays in the gym from 7pm-8:30pm.
The next practice is September 22nd.
Email any questions to [email protected].

Coffee Hour is hosted by the PTA
Bagels are donated by ALFA BAGELS Route 10 in Randolph, NJ
Coffee is donated by Aristotle Leontopoulos of Coffee Associates in Edgewater

Announcements

Announcement:
In order to increase awareness and communication within our St. Andrew family we have established a matrix
that depicts the various ministries and groups and the associated Parish Council member’s contact info and each Ministry leader’s Contact info. See Matrix

HERE

Hellenic Afternoon (Greek) School Began September 10th!
Contact Vasilia Christodoulou or Office for Details 973-584-0388.

Hellenic Evening School (Adult Greek Language Class)
Classes from Oct 1-Dec 10. Thursdays 7pm-9pm
Tuition $350. Registration now open. For more information contact Vasilia Christodoulou or our office, 973-584-0388

Big Greek Gyro & Souvlaki Fest
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 26th
11am-6pm
Gyro, Souvlaki, Greek Desserts and more!
ORDER IN ADVANCE
HERE
BigGreekFestival.com

VOLUNTEER FOR THE FEST
HERE

Backpack Blessing September 27th!
Pre-K through college students are welcome to get backpacks blessed Sunday after Communion.

MINISTRY FAIR SUNDAY is September 27th!
"Filotimo: Giving from a Grateful Heart"
Join us after Liturgy in the gym as we showcase our ministries' good work.
Learn about each ministry's mission, ask questions, and maybe even join! Sponsored by St. Andrew Stewardship

Introducing…
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Interested in learning more about our faith?
Join Dr. Herb Schuster in Fr. John’s office after Communion
for a discussion based on the 52-Week Orthodox Bible Study Workbook (available in our bookstore for $30)!
Meets every Sunday starting OCTOBER 4th

Next Young Adult League Meeting is
Monday, October 5th @7:00pm:
The St. Andrew Young Adult League (YAL) will meet every first Monday of the month at 7pm for a discussion in Fr. John’s office, and every second Sunday of the month or TBD for a wild card activity.
For more information, contact our office, 973-584-0388.

(New Jersey) Orthodox Young Adult Retreat
OCTOBER 9-11, 2026 Ages 18-30s+
TOPIC-Following Christ Offline: Encountering Orthodoxy in Community
with Fr. Symeon Williams
Join us for our 2nd annual retreat where young Orthodox adults connect in fellowship!
Hosted by St. Anthony's Young Adult Group.
RSVP BY OCTOBER 3RD
Reserve hotel room by Tuesday, Sept. 9th
For more details click HERE

(New York City) Young Adult League Conference
OCTOBER 9-12, 2026 Ages 18-35
with the Archdiocesan District
Register HERE

Bible Study has begun!
Join us on a journey through the Scriptures!
Every Thursday at 7pm in Fr. John's Office

Little Angels Playgroup
Begins September 23rd 11:00am. Join us for fun, play, and friendship! We love to welcome new and returning families. Little Angels is a wonderful opportunity for parents, grandparents and caregivers to connect with one another and their children ages infant to 4, (siblings welcome). For more info, contact Iris Krassas: 862-668-8183.

Knitting, Crochet & Pillow Ministry

has begun!

MORNING GROUP: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays

11am-2pm

Antonia Clapsis

[email protected]

EVENING GROUP: 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays

6:30pm-9pm

Harriet Karkanias

[email protected]

Agape (Aγάπη) Luncheons (For Seniors):
Sept 24th, Oct 29th, Nov 19th, Dec 10th
Contact: Julie I. 201-602-1359, Joanne D. 973-432-1950, or Irene L. 973-479-5221

A time of transition...
Kia Paskas has officially transitioned into Christen Demnitz’s role as St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church office manager. She is thrilled to take on this new position, and appreciates your patience while she adjusts! Kia brings a diverse professional background to our community, having most recently managed a dermatology practice, worked in the translation industry and taught Spanish in the public school system. Kia is an active member of the St. Andrew chapter of the Philoptochos, as well as the Religious Education teacher of grades seven and eight. She looks forward to further serving our parish as she settles into her new role, and she is grateful for this opportunity to work more closely with the members of her beloved community.

Testimonial Celebration Honoring Athena Borzeka
District #5 Governor

The Daughters of Penelope Alexander #250 Cordially invites you.
October 4th, 2026, 1:30pm-4:30pm
Primavera Regency, 1080 Valley Road, Stirling, New Jersey 07980
RSVP BY 9/27/26
$65

VENMO
@DOPAlexander250
(201-257-2178)
https://venmo.com/code?
user_id=465008433561711
7273&created=1785103249

ZELLE
201-874-9084
[email protected]
Dimitra Pallis

CHECKS
Payable To: DOP Alexander # 250
Mail To:
Dimitra Pallis -DOP Alexander # 250
38 Ridgeview Lane
Mt. Arlington, New Jersey 07856

Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry
Join His ALL-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on a historic Pilgrimage Oct 19^th-23.
Details to come

Tavli Tournament
November 14^th, 2026 at 12pm
Official registration opens September 14^th and spots are limited!
$50 -Player Entrance Fee
$25 -Non-Player Entrance Fee
Food & Refreshments Included!
Join our mailing list today to get early access to the registration link, tournament details and rules before the general public.
Contact Athena Borzeka at [email protected] for details

JOIN THE ST. ANDREW IT COMMITTEE
St. Andrew is forming an Information Technology (IT) Committee and is seeking parishioners with experience or interest in technology to help support and strengthen our parish ministries. Contact Office for Details 973-584-0388.

Car Raffle tickets
(5 per family or more upon request) are now available by our office for pick up to help sell tickets for our annual Car Raffle.

THIS YEAR’S CAR RAFFLE
$25 each. Drawing September 27th 12:30pm
Model: Mercedes Benz GLC 300 W4
If You would like to Volunteer
for this Year's Car Raffle Ticket Tent, Please Sign up
HERE

Market Street Mission’s Annual Coat Drive
Runs from Sept. 10th through Oct. 29th

We are collecting gently used coats, hats, and scarves for all ages.

Please put donated items in marked bins located in the
Social Hall.
no light jackets, raincoats, or sweaters etc.

Stay tuned for more information!

Having Trouble activating Our Texting Feature?
Reach out to the office and we will get you in!
email us at [email protected] or call us at 973-584-0388

Stewardship Reminder

As we plan and budget for the year, we would like to stress the importance of submitting your pledge form along with your donation. A donation without a pledge form makes it very difficult for the parish to responsibly budget and plan for ministries, outreach, programs, staffing, and facility needs without knowing what level of support to anticipate. A completed pledge form helps our Parish Council make sound financial decisions for the year ahead. Thank you for your faithful generosity and for helping our parish plan wisely by returning your pledge form promptly.

Stewardship...

^{We invite you to prayerfully consider ways to give back in Time, Talent, and Treasure for 2026 by returning your pledge forms ASAP.}

^{2026 Pledge Form} | ^{2026 Online Giving Page}

FAITH KITCHEN

On the fourth Saturday of each month, the different ministries of our church (GOYA, Philoptochos, Daughters of Penelope, AHEPA and Parish Council) help to feed the hungry in our community. Each group takes turns serving a hot meal to between 70 and 100 people. See Georgia Haglund or call 973-584-0388 for more information

Our Regional Young Adult League (YAL):
Stay connected with our region-wide ministries for young adults (20s-30s) via link
HERE

HOPE & JOY Children's Ministry
for children K-6th grade
Stala Jelis and Jenny Manis are the organizers of this beautiful program. Stala is in charge of the HOPE events (grades K-2) and Jenny is in charge of the JOY events (grades 3-6). If your child is in 3rd grade, they can be in either group, and many events will be combined when appropriate. Questions? Please email us at [email protected].

Online giving available HERE

TO VIEW OUR ONLINE CALENDER CLICK
HERE

TESTIMONIALS
In an effort to really get to know and understand each other and to bring our community closer together, we invite you to listen to testimonials from parishioners and people touched by our Faith. Let us love one another, “Αγαπήσομεν Αλλήλους", also by reflecting on our journeys together. We hope these testimonials are meaningful and uplifting for you.

Click here to listen to testimonial of Christen Demnitz.

Click here to listen to testimonial of Nicholas Tonini.

Click here to listen to testimonial of Ervin Mile.

Click here to listen to testimonial of Nikolaos Karkanias.

If you would like to share your story with us, please contact our parish office.
Thank you and may God bless you.

PHISHING / CON ARTISTS TEXTS / EMAILS :

Someone is sending out texts and emails asking for assistance and signing Fr John’s name. This is not Fr John’s cell number or email address. His cell number is 973-219-2941, his email is [email protected]. Please report the text/email as junk and delete and block the sender. We contacted the FBI about this problem and was informed that they do not take a case like this. We hope no one is fooled by these criminals. Please tell your friends. Fr John will never reach out to anyone asking for “assistance” in this way. Thank you for your patience and understanding. God Bless!

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:12-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν, καί αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν. Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες, καὶ ἐστὲ σκυθρωποί; Ἀποκριθείς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ· ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου, καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν· ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ. Ἀλλά γε οὖν σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον, ἀφ' οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. Ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὂρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. Καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον· αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. Καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ Προφῆται. Οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; Καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο ποῤῥωτέρω πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτόν, λέγοντες· Μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν, λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. Αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ' αὐτῶν. Καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς Γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως, καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. Καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1.
Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει.
Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20.

Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after 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."

Sunday after 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.

Fr. John's Message

LORD'S VOICE SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

THE SUNDAY GOSPEL (Mark 8:34-38, 9:1)
The salvation of the soul

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."

THE RENEWAL OF THE FAITHFUL

The present Sunday, the first after the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross, constitutes an extension of that great ecclesiastical event. Consequently, both the hymnography of the Orthros and the readings of the Divine Liturgy refer especially to the Cross of the Lord, which is the gate of Paradise and the fountain of man’s salvation. The Church proclaims that through the Cross, the joy of the Resurrection comes upon all the world. For this reason, during the Feast of the Elevation, with the life-giving Cross of the Lord she blesses the ends of the earth, the four points of the horizon, the whole creation, both rational and irrational.

The establishment of the feast

The Feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross prevailed very early in the Church. On the 13th of September in the year 335, Bishops who had participated in an ecclesiastical Synod in Palestine were subsequently called to inaugurate the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem.
On the following day of the inauguration, the Bishop of Jerusalem elevated the Precious Cross from Golgotha so that the multitudes of faithful present could behold it and thus be blessed and sanctified. This liturgical act constituted, according to the most widely accepted opinion, the historical foundation of the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross.

The temple of the human soul

Yet every faithful Christian is likewise able continually to inaugurate, that is, to renew through the power of the Holy Spirit, the temple of his soul and of his body, his conscience, his very being, and to offer unto God, as a living and acceptable sacrifice, his faith, his hope, and his love; his repentance, his prayer, and his spiritual struggle. The believer may also continually celebrate the Elevation of the Cross within his heart, crucifying – for the sake of Christ – his old self and his passions, and living with the hope of the Resurrection, with the expectation of the Kingdom of God, which is already within us and whose full manifestation we await at the end of historical reality. For this reason, Christ says to us in the Gospel passage: “I assure you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God having come with power,” that is, until they behold the Kingdom of God coming dynamically.

Cross – Resurrection – Kingdom of God

The phrase in the Gospel reading that the Kingdom of God comes dynamically, “with power,” signifies first of all, the
manifestation of the Church in the world as the Body of Christ, and the wondrous outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God upon Her and upon the faithful. The Church is the foremost image of the Kingdom, and the person who consciously participates in the life and the mysteries of the Church already participates, even now, in the Kingdom of God, which continually comes and constantly embraces us. Furthermore, Christ Himself, in the Gospel passage, connects the vision of the Kingdom of God with the event of His imminent Transfiguration. Thus, the beholding of His Person, the glory of His Transfiguration, which His disciples were deemed worthy to see before their death, upon Mount Tabor, is a revelation of the glory of the Kingdom of God, of eternal life, of true joy and exultation.

Christ is glorified through His Extreme Humility. For this reason, shortly before His voluntary death, He says: “Now is the Son of Man glorified” (John 13:31). The Passion, the Sacrifice, the Cross, and the Death of Christ are inseparably bound to His glory, His Resurrection, and His Kingdom. And the glory of the Kingdom of God radiates within every believer who has cultivated the awareness that he is a living cell of the Body of Christ. Within every believer who strives nobly to harmonize his way of thinking and evaluating things – his ethos and his life – with the word and the spirit of Christ, the only true God and Savior of people, so that he may have the sense that Christ lives within him and that he himself lives within His love and light.

Archimandrite N. K.

Daily Calendar

Coffee Hour Hosts In September: 9/27 Parish Council (Oct.: 10/4 Philoptochos, 10/11 PTA...)

Sunday 9/20 @8:15am Orthros & @9:30am Divine Liturgy +Sunday after The Holy Cross
MEMORIAL: +Nicholas Margaronis | MEMORIAL: +Nikolaos and Maria Theodorakis
@9am Metropolis Holy Cross Dive at St. George Gk Orthodox Church in Ocean Twsp
@12pm Daughters of Penelope Meeting

Tuesday 9/22 @8:00am + Orthros & @9:00am Divine Liturgy +Phocas the Martyr
@7pm Philoptochos Meeting
@7-8:30pm GOYA Volleyball Practice

Wednesday 9/23 @8:00am + Orthros & @9:00am Divine Liturgy +Conception of John the Baptist
@6:30-8pm GOYA Basketball Practice

Thursday 9/24
@11:30am Agape Luncheon

Saturday 9/26 @8:00am + Orthros & @9:00am Divine Liturgy +Falling Asleep of St John the Theologian
@9am Faith Kitchen: GOYA
@11am Gyro & Souvlaki Fest
@11:30am Baptism: Vienna Spiropoulos
@2pm Baptism: Diego

Sunday 9/27 @8:15am + Orthros & @9:30am Divine Liturgy +1^st Sunday of Luke
MEMORIAL: +Helen Ballos
@11:00am Backpack Blessing for all college, high school, Greek School & Religious Education Students
@Coffee Hour: Ministry Fair Sunday
@12:30pm Mercedes Raffle Drawing
@3:30pm GOYA Volleyball game

Thursday 10/1
@5pm PTA Kick-off Meeting
@7pm Bible Study
@7pm Adult Greek Language Class

News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

Stewardship 2026 Form

Prayerfully consider your blessings as you make your annual pledge to Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church

Car Raffle

tickets $25 each- Drawing: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Introducing St. Andrew Young Adult League

CALLING ALL SAINT ANDREW YOUNG ADULTS! NEXT YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26TH: The St. Andrew Young Adult League (YAL) will meet every first Monday of the month at 7pm for a discussion in Fr. John’s office and every second Sunday of the month or TBD for a wild card activity. For more information, contact our office, 973-584-0388.

HAS begins September 10th!

Hellenic (Greek) Afternoon School- Fall 2026 Register now!

Adult Greek Language Class

Beginning in October!

Regional Young Adult Retreat

October 9-11. RSVP by Oct 3rd.

Planned Giving Conference at St. Andrew

Saturday, September 19th 12pm to 3pm

Precautions surrounding Construction

Due to renovations

MINISTRY FAIR SUNDAY

Join us on Sept. 27th as we showcase our ministries' great work.

Foni Kyriou

Greek readings week of 9-13-26

Prayer List

Prayer for a Sick Person:

Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal (me) Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant (me) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray that You heal (me) as Your servant and grant (me) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Please keep these names in your prayers

Janet, Irene, Lauren, Eleni, Dorothy, Carolyn, Ava Michelle, Demetrios, Eleftherios, Stelios, Sofia, Constantinos, Stamatina, Alexander, Alexandra, Constantinos, Christos, Maria, Henny, Theodora, Photini, Robert, Eleni, Ioannis, Margarita, Anna, Nicholas, MaryJane, George, Vasilios, Photeine, Chrissy, David, George, Maria, George, Gladys John, Gregory, Barbara, Helen, Michelle, Ennette, Eleni, Mary, Andreas, Sofia, Joseph, Catrina, Patricia, Erica, Maria, Angeliki, Maria, Dimitrios, Irene, Reta, Eleni, Maria, Kyriaki, Martin, Maria.

If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. 973-584-0388 or send us an email to [email protected]

Names will be kept on this list for approximately three months. Please resubmit Names if needed. Fr. John will pray for the Names above during the PROSKOMIDI “Offering of gifts” during the first part of the Divine Liturgy when our priest prepares the mystical gifts of bread and wine. Please keep these names in your prayers as well.

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