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.
2021 Stewardship Status: we have 145 Pledges totaling $191,265 and $141,315 received to date. We also have 5 families who have contributed $2,950 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.
Dormition Fast: (Aug. 1-14). Paraklesis Services (prayers for the living for health and welfare) will be held each evening (M-F) this week at 7 pm. Saturday- Great Vespers of Dormition at the Kimisis Church in Holmdel at 7 pm.
Today, Sunday, Aug. 8, we will offer the 1-year Memorial Service in memory of Dr. Helen Pappas. All are invited to fellowship outside hosted by Georgia Pelios in Helen's memory. May her memory be eternal!
Today, we will celebrate the 40-day blessing for Kalany, daughter of Kallie (Georgeles) and Rony Prera, born on June 25. The baby will take on the Christian name of St. Helen of Sinope (Eleni). Congratulations!
Sunday School: As we prepare for classes this fall, we are in need of Sunday School Teachers. Please contact Aimee Douvris, Sunday School Director aimeedouvris@gmail.com, or Fr. A if interested. Thank you.
As previously announced, we have stopped taking reservations. All are invited as walk-ins. Please join us for this special day in the life of our church!
TODAY IS THE LAST CALL! GOYA Camp Good Shepherd - Aug. 15-21. Camp Tecumseh, NJ. Fr. A would like to invite all youth (grades 7 to 12) to join him and the entire region for overnight summer camp. The cost is $500 per camper. Please text or email Fr. A today.
Metropolis Holy Cross Celebration: The Annual Celebration this year will be presided by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Asbury Park.
This Saint was one of the illustrious Orthodox Bishops called to Constantinople by the holy Patriarch Nicephorus to defend the veneration of the holy icons against Leo the Armenian (see Mar. 8). Saint Emilian was sent into exile by Leo about the year 815, and gave up his soul to the Lord amidst many afflictions and sufferings for the sake of his confession.
After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108(109):8). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.
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 Romans 15:1-7.
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.