Saints and Feasts

March 15

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Light of Orthdoxy, pillar and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever pray that our souls be saved.

Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the Fourth Mode

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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 Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Wisdom of the Fathers

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

For though in the beginning He Himself went about, and did not require so much faith of them that came unto Him; yet in this case they both approached Him, and had faith required on their part. For, "Seeing," it is said, "their faith;" that is, the faith of them that had let the man down.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

Ministry News

PLEASE NOTE: From his Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey:

While our church doors will be open for all worship services, there will be no other non-worship events until further notice. This means:
- no Fellowship Hour after Church
- no Sunday School, for now
- no Greek School, for now
- Spring Parish General Assembly on Sunday, March 22 is postponed

The Parish Council will be making the final decision on the Trivia Night and Palm Sunday Luncheon at the end of March.

All are invited to attend the Holy Unction service here on Monday, March 16 at 5 PM as we seek additional healing and strengthening from above.

May God keep us and bless us through these challenging times and may He grant healing and recovery to those directly affected by this new virus.

Church Calendar:

Monday, March 16: Holy Unction, 5 pm

Mondays, March 23, 30, April 6: Great Compline, 5 pm

Wednesdays, March 18, April 1, 8: Presanctified Liturgy, 6 pm (no service March 25)

Thursdays, March 19, 26, April 2, 9: Great Compline, 6 pm

Fridays, March 20, 27, April 3, 10: Presanctified Liturgy, 8:30 am

Fridays, March 20, 27, April 3, 10: Salutations Service, 7 pm

Tuesday, March 24: Great Vespers of Annunciation – Nameday of His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos – 7 pm, Evangelismos, Jersey City

Wednesday, March 25: Annunciation Feastday - Orthros/Liturgy, 9 am

Philoptochos: Tsourekia orders due March 29. Pickup on April 12. Contacts: Zoi Kaldes & Arge Mardakis

Youth Safety Testing: If you had signed up earlier in the year to go through with the Armatus Safety Testing for your participation in Parish Youth Programs, and have not completed the online testing, please remember to do so. There are 3 tests that need to be completed:

Background Check
Youth Safety Quiz
Regulations Quiz.

All 3 above must be completed before you can receive a pass certificate. Please complete the testing, as the deadline is quickly approaching. Look for any emails from Backgroundcheck@Praesidiuminc.com or contact Support@Praesideuminc.com, enter your ID and password already given to you, and complete the tests. This is all done online and we should have plenty of time to Complete now. Thank you.

Youth Safety Night at St. Anna’s, Friday, March 20, postponed. New date TBD.

Lenten Marriage Retreat, Saturday, March 21, canceled.

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ARCHDIOCESE DIRECTIVES ON CORONAVIRUS 07MAR2020

We recommend that all those who are ill or think that they "are coming down with something" simply stay home and recuperate. Online services from our neighboring parish of St. Barbara in Toms River can be viewed live at http://www.stbarbaranj.org/live-services.
Also, if you have recently traveled internationally, you are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days (the time span of incubation) before coming back to church.
As His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros noted in the encyclical:" In addition, no one should be criticized for making the choice to refrain for a time from their participation in the traditional liturgical practices of our Holy Church. These measures do not change the traditions of the Church but are rather temporary precautions during this time of crisis. "

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Directives to be followed by the Clergy dealing with Covid-19 (Coronavirus), until further notice, based on the instructions of the US Center for Disease Control (CDC)

1) All parishes will provide stations in the Narthex and/or Nave for the Faithful to disinfect their hands as they enter the Church.

2) Signs will be posted at the entrance that recommend sick persons not attend the Services, but participate via television or the Internet (URL should be posted as well)

3) The clergy will not offer their hands to be reverenced and will refrain from touching the faithful either through handshakes or an embrace.

4) Signs will be posted recommending that honor be shown to Icons and the blessing cross by only bowing.

5) No books – Liturgical or Scriptural, will be kept in the pews. Parishioners will be instructed to bring their own books from home.

6) The Faithful will not receive the Antidoron from the Clergy, but on their own as they leave the church.

7) In the case of the use of flowers (Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, Palm Sunday, Holy Friday), the Faithful will take them on their own as they leave the church. On Holy Wednesday (Holy Unction), each priest will anoint each Faithful using separate cotton-tipped swabs.

8) The Eucharist will be distributed as per usual.

9) In concelebrations, the clerical “Kiss of Peace” will be through bowing to one another. In parishes where the laity exchange the “Kiss of Peace,” they will avoid contact through bowing to one another.

10) After every service, all liturgical objects and surfaces to be thoroughly cleaned.

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HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Saturday, April 11 Lazarus Saturday (& folding palms) – 9 am

Sunday April 12: Palm Sunday – 9 am

Bridegroom Service – 7 pm

Monday, April 13: Presanctified Liturgy – 9 am

Bridegroom Service – 7 pm

Tuesday, April 14: Presanctified Liturgy – 9 am

Bridegroom Service - 7 pm

Wednesday, April 15: Presanctified Liturgy – 9 am

Holy Unction Sacrament – 4 pm

Holy Unction Sacrament – 7 pm

Thursday, April 16: Holy Thursday Liturgy (St. Basil)– 9 am

Service of Holy Passion (12 Gospels)– 7 pm

Friday, April 17: Holy and Great Hours – 8:30 am

Apokathelosis – 3 pm

Lamentations Service – 7 pm

Saturday, April 18: Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil– 9 am

Resurrection Service – 11:15 pm

Sunday, April 19: Agape Vespers Service – 10:30 am

Bulletin Inserts

Coronavirus Directives

from His Eminence

Holy Unction service March 16

For healing, 5 pm on Monday

Stewardship

Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2020 Stewardship Status: We have 87 Pledges totaling $131,000 for an average of $1,506 and $63,174 received to date. We also have 7 families who have contributed $1,475 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $175,000. If the remaining 117, 2019 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards.

If you have not already done so, pick up your 2020 Stewardship Cards today!

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much

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