Weekly Services (Due to COVID protocols, all services are by invitation only. Contact Fr. A with any questions.)
(Please note schedule subject to change. Please call church office to confirm times.)
Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy 9:30 am. (by invitation only)
Weekly Feastday / Major Saint Day Liturgies: 9 am Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy.
Our righteous Mother Xenia of Rome was of a distinguished family. While her parents were preparing to wed her, she stole away secretly, taking two handmaids with her, and departed for Mylasa of Karia in Asia Minor, and there she completed her life in asceticism. She was ordained deaconess by Paul, her spiritual father, who became Bishop of Mylasa. Although she was originally named Eusebia, to conceal her identity, she took the name Xenia - which means "stranger" in Greek - because of her estrangement from her country.
This Saint, a wealthy nobleman of Constantinople, was filled with piety toward God. He had two sons, Arcadius and John, whom he sent to Beirut to study law. But they were shipwrecked during their voyage; barely saved, they forsook all things and departed for Palestine. Saint Xenophon and his wife Mary, ignorant of what had happened, went in search of their sons. On finding them in Jerusalem, dressed in the habit of monks, they also took up the monastic life. And thus, having completed their lives in holiness, they departed for the Lord about the beginning of the sixth century. Saint Xenophon and his sons reposed at Saint Sabbas Monastery, and Mary at the Monastery of Saint Theodosius.
This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).
Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 1:15-17.
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
The wounds of centuries of slavery have not been fully overcome simply because there was a Civil War, or because there was Reconstruction, or when the Voting Rights Act was signed. Justice takes hard work over generations, and as Christians, we are called to that work. #MLKDay
Congratulations to our newly installed Parish Council! May God bless each and every one of you as we continue to progress and stay united in God's love and service.
The Annual Vasilopita Cutting took place on Sunday, January 17. There are plenty of cut pieces saved for each Sunday through this month. Please be sure to contact Fr. A if you would like to attend services. A Google survey is sent out in advance of each month so that all can be invited to church in turn as we continue to follow the COVID protocols for everyone's safety.
Virtual Sunday School and Greek School. These ministries are continuing. Sunday School typically meets every 1st and 3rd Sunday each month (This month, the schedule has been rearranged to account for the Christmas break through Jan. 4). We are blessed with a wonderful and dedicated Greek School ministry. Please contact Fr. A if you want your child to attend these engaging classes.
Mark the date: Sunday, Feb. 7 - Superbowl Sunday - Gyros to Go! This is our next preorder, contactless food event in support of our church. More info coming soon!
On Sunday, January 24, we will pray the Memorial Prayers for Anthony and Georgia Staikos, beloved parents of George Staikos. May their memory be eternal!
Our most heartfelt prayers go out to the Douvris family at this time with the recent passing into eternal rest of Catherine Douvris, mother of John Douvris. May her memory be eternal!
+++Obituary of Catherine Douvris, mother of John Douvris+++
Catherine Douvris, 86, of Fort Lee, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on January 21, 2021, after a 4-month illness.
Catherine was born on December 26, 1934, to Anthony and Basiliki Palles in Laconia, Greece. She emigrated to the United States in 1953. She worked as a seamstress until she met the love of her life.
In 1962, Catherine met Spyros Douvris, also from Laconia, Greece, while he was working in her uncle’s restaurant in Brooklyn, NY. They immediately hit it off and married only 1 year later in 1963. They lived in Fairview, NJ, and the two had their first son, John, in 1964. Their second son, Anthony (Tony), was born in 1967.
When Catherine had John, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Catherine excelled at supporting John in his pursuit of a medical career and Tony in his dreams of becoming a successful businessman, all while providing a loving and welcoming home for her husband, children, and extended family.
In 1970, the family moved to their new home in Fort Lee, NJ. It was there where Catherine’s passion for gardening and cooking blossomed. When she wasn’t busy filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found taking care of her homegrown vegetables and herbs, as well as perfecting the many Greek recipes passed down from her mother.
In addition to being a fiercely dedicated wife and mother, she loved being a yiayia to her 5 grandchildren. Family came first and was above all else to Catherine, a value she instilled in all those around her. The void left by her absence is impossible to fill.
Catherine was predeceased by her parents, her sister Helen Poulakos, her brother Peter Palles, and her son Anthony Douvris. She is survived by her husband Spyros Douvris, her brother Samuel Palles, her son John Douvris and his wife Aimee, her daughter-in-law Donna Douvris, her 5 grandchildren Katerina, Michelle, Nikolas, Peter, and Sofia, in addition to many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.
May your memory be eternal, Catherine, and may God grant rest to your soul.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Catherine’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Family and friends will be received on Monday from 4-8 pm at Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home, 327 Main Street in Fort Lee, “opposite the Fort Lee Public Library.” Funeral services will take place Tuesday at 11 am at St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 353 E. Clinton Avenue in Tenafly, followed by the Burial Service at Brookside Cemetery in Englewood.