Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy 9:30 am.
Weekday Services: See parish website calendar link for updates.
2021 Stewardship Status: we have 152 Pledges totaling $193,565 and $167,871 received to date. We also have 11 families who have contributed $5,000 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. The current Stewardship List and other stewardship information are posted on the bulletin board by the water cooler.
2021 Stewardship List |
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* Contributed but have not submitted stewardship card |
Report Date: Oct 22, 2021 |
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1 |
Agrapides, Peter & Stella |
65 |
Kefalas, Carrie |
129 |
Sutton, David & Maria |
2 |
Andreou, Anthony |
66 |
Kehayes, Peter & Helen |
130 |
Tattoli, Larry & Maria |
3 |
Andriopoulos-Perez, Elena |
67 |
Kehayes, Stephen & Beth |
131 |
Tattoli, Mark |
4 |
Angelus, James&Elizabeth |
68 |
Kika, John & Tina |
132 |
Tattoli, Steven |
5 |
Archimedes, Alexander & Debbie |
69 |
Kizoulis, Menas & Antonia |
133 |
Theodoropoulos, Pete & Brittany Daniels |
6 |
Argiropoulos, Anthony & Amy |
70 |
Kosoglou, Teddy and Roula |
134 |
Ticas, Alexia |
7 |
Balios, Efthimia |
71 |
Kousoulas, Constantine |
135 |
Ticas, Cesar&Areti |
8 |
Bongiovanni, Robert & Michele |
72 |
Kousoulas, Fr. Anastasios & Presv. Nektaria |
136 |
Toulatos, Polixenia |
9 |
Bozzo, Daniel&Maria |
73 |
Kousoulas, Panayiotis |
137 |
Trumpy, Fred & Larisa |
10 |
Bulzacchelli, Thomas & Valerie |
74 |
Kubu, James & Evangeline |
138 |
Tsatsos, Costa & Maria |
11 |
Bunce, Daniel & Marianne |
75 |
Kypridakes, Michael & Asimina |
139 |
Tsentas, Constantine & Eugenia * |
12 |
Collett, Martin & Adriane |
76 |
Logothetis, Nikita & Sophia |
140 |
Tsokas, Lorraine |
13 |
Connell, William & Nikki |
77 |
Loukedis, Alexander & Jennifer |
141 |
Tsokas, Spyros |
14 |
Costalas, Paul & Josephine |
78 |
Lutkus, Anthony & Vasiliki |
142 |
Tzovolos, Demetri and Arete |
15 |
Coutros, George & Lana |
79 |
Manoussakis, Stamati & Sofia |
143 |
Tzovolos, Olympia |
16 |
Coutros, Peter |
80 |
Manteo, Michael & Gramatiki |
144 |
Vaporakis, Efharis Karise |
17 |
Coutsouridis, Alexia |
81 |
Mardakis, Arge |
145 |
Vaporakis, John & Kim |
18 |
Coutsouridis, John & Denise |
82 |
Mariani, Anthony & Kristen |
146 |
Vaporakis, Kaliope |
19 |
Demetriou, Dorothy&James |
83 |
Markos, Peter & Elaine |
147 |
Vaporakis, Mihail |
20 |
Diagelakis, Gerasimos & Kristen |
84 |
Martin, Stephen & Despina |
148 |
Varas, Alexander Pericles |
21 |
Diamantis, Ioannis & Gerasimoula |
85 |
Martini, Alyssa * |
149 |
Varas, Loukas Michael |
22 |
Disla, Mark & Anastasia Pappas |
86 |
Martini, Danielle * |
150 |
Varas, Michael & Elaine |
23 |
Diver, Sean & Joanne |
87 |
Mavrode, Michael & Demetra |
151 |
Veneman, Ryan & Polyxeni-Tolis |
24 |
Douvris, John & Aimee |
88 |
Mazza, Emily Connelly & Costa & Poulis, Renee |
152 |
Vespa, Paul & Fay |
25 |
Douvris, Katerina & Jorge Higueros |
89 |
McElroy, Stephanie |
153 |
Vlahakes, Louis & Anastasia |
26 |
Fallon, Ellie |
90 |
Millett, Matthew & Maria |
154 |
Vlahakis, Dan |
27 |
Fallon, Tom & Anna |
91 |
Mulcahy, Dr. Wayne and Mary |
155 |
Wolfe, Richard & Penelope |
28 |
Fania, Michael & Vicky |
92 |
Nelson, Stephanie |
156 |
Wygera, Walter & Constance |
29 |
Fearon, TJ & Colette |
93 |
Nicolaou, Nicolaos & Kaliopi * |
157 |
Xenakis, Matthew & Vasiliki * |
30 |
Ferreira, Jorge & Angela |
94 |
Nikolakopoulos, Peter & Melissa |
158 |
Ypsilantis, Peter & Antonia |
31 |
Finley, Thomas & Antoinette * |
95 |
Paitakes, John&Linda |
159 |
Zacharatos, Jerry & Justine Raspanti |
32 |
Gacos, Chris & Frances |
96 |
Paliatsos, Mary |
160 |
Zajac, Pegi |
33 |
Gacos, Christopher & Escarlen |
97 |
Panageas, Bill & Margaret |
161 |
Zanidakis, Theodore & Charlotte |
34 |
Gatanis, Michael & Angela * |
98 |
Panayote, William & Deborah |
162 |
Zannikos, Peter & Amy |
35 |
Georgeles, George & Maria |
99 |
Pelios, Georgia |
163 |
|
36 |
Georgeles, Kallie |
100 |
Peppe, George & Demetra |
164 |
|
37 |
Georgeles, Michael * |
101 |
Petromelis, Christopher & Georgette |
165 |
|
38 |
Giambrone, Charles J |
102 |
Petromelis, Phyllis |
166 |
|
39 |
Gianakos, Michael & Dianne |
103 |
Procyk, Eugenia |
167 |
|
40 |
Giannouris, John & Tracey |
104 |
Radzicki, Martin & Katie |
168 |
|
41 |
Gianos, Irene |
105 |
Rentoulis, Nikolaos |
169 |
|
42 |
Gilman, Cliff & Karen * |
106 |
Roupas, Daniel & Mary |
170 |
|
43 |
Giotis, John & Karen |
107 |
Rudy, George & Sofia |
171 |
|
44 |
Glynos, Peter & Cindy |
108 |
Sacalis, John |
172 |
|
45 |
Grina, Peter & Diana |
109 |
Sakellos, Alexandra |
173 |
|
46 |
Halkiadakis, John & Vassie |
110 |
Sakellos, Evan & Catherine |
174 |
|
47 |
Hawes, Ashlynn |
111 |
Sakellos, George |
175 |
|
48 |
Hawes, Brian & Allison Faches |
112 |
Sfondouris, John & Maria |
176 |
|
49 |
Hawes, Carrick |
113 |
Shepardson, Lilyan |
177 |
|
50 |
Heinke, Michael & Simone |
114 |
Sideris, Leonidas & Elizabeth |
178 |
|
51 |
Heinke, Zoe & Andy Riley |
115 |
Soteropoulos, Dean & Elizabeth |
179 |
|
52 |
Ibrahim, Robert&Doniki |
116 |
Soteropoulos, Marisa |
180 |
|
53 |
Iliakostas, Vasilis & Konstantina |
117 |
Staikos, George & Christi |
181 |
|
54 |
Iliopoulos, Christos & Anna |
118 |
Staikos, Nicholas, Eirini Daskalakis |
182 |
|
55 |
Jaghab, Danny & Delmy |
119 |
Stathopulos, Peter&Julan, Adriana |
183 |
|
56 |
Johnson, Bill |
120 |
Stavrakas, Spyros & Bia |
184 |
|
57 |
Johnson, Gloria |
121 |
Stavrakis, Michael & Sophia |
185 |
|
58 |
Kaldes, John & Zoi |
122 |
Stellakis, John & Eileen |
186 |
|
59 |
Kamnitsis, Christopher & Heather |
123 |
Stellakis, Stanley & Kathleen |
187 |
|
60 |
Kamnitsis, Constantine & Nancy |
124 |
Steubing, Michael & Maria Katsamani |
188 |
|
61 |
Kasimatis, Kosmas & Dimitra Bairaktaris |
125 |
Stieglitz, Alexander |
189 |
|
62 |
Katogiritis, George & Kalliopi * |
126 |
Stieglitz, Robert & Katerina |
190 |
|
63 |
Katsiaficas, John&Soula |
127 |
Stier, Benjamin & Eleftheria Tsatsos |
191 |
|
64 |
Kazantzis, Sava & Nancy |
128 |
Sullivan, Mary |
192 |
Memorial Service: Dimitrios (2 years) and Adriani (13 years) Thomas, parents of Maria Tattoli. May their memory be eternal!
Veterans Day Program: Today, we thank our men and women who served in the armed forces for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. May God bless you! A special Veterans Day program will be celebrated immediately after the Divine Liturgy. Dimitra Bairaktaris will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Please join us. (Mr. Paul Costalas' senior class, grades 10-12 are asked to stay in church for the program.) Much thanks to Dimitra B. and Denise Coutsouridis for organizing this wonderful tribute!
Spring Reins of Life (Horses, Humans and Healing) - our second visit as a parish is today from 12:30 to 2 pm. Please be sure to bring your Release Form. Hunt Cap Farms, 401 Main Street (Old York Rd), Three Bridges NJ 08887 (remember to drive slowly upon entering!). We plan to rake.
Holy Services this week: Monday - Holy Archangels. Tuesday, St. Nektarios. Orthros/ Divine Liturgy begins at 8:30 am. (All are invited to the St. George GOC in Clifton for the St. Nektarios Great Vespers Celebration on Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 pm).
Funeral of Danae Leondopulos, (mother of our chanter Stathis) - Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 11 AM AT THE ST. GEORGE GOC IN HAMILTON, NJ (1200 KLOCKNER RD). Our condolences to Stathis on the passing into evelasting life of his beloved mother. May her memory be eternal!
Open Gym: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 6 to 8 pm. All youth are invited as we hope to play volleyball and basketball for an hour each.
Sunday, Nov. 14: Parish Fall Assembly. All invited to attend. Extra copies of the agenda are available today.
Sunday School: classes will be excused at about 10:30 AM after the distribution of Holy Communion.
Greek School Please contact Maria Sfondouris, Greek School Director with any questions (msfondouris@gmail.com). Mondays - In-person classes. Wednesdays - Virtual classes. Let's make it a great year of Greek learning for our youth!
These holy Martyrs confessed during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian in the year 290. Of them, Saint Hieron was from Tyana in Cappadocia, a husbandman, of great bodily strength and high nobility of soul. As he was at work digging in his field, certain soldiers came to impress him into military service. He, however, not wishing to keep company with the impious, refused, and with his wooden tool alone drove away the armed soldiers, who fled in fear because of his strength. Later, however, he went of his own free will, and confessed Christ before the governor. His right hand was cut off, and he was imprisoned with thirty-two others, whom he strengthened in the Faith of Christ. Together they were all beheaded outside the city of Melitene in Armenia.
Our righteous Father Lazarus was born in 967 in Magnesia of Asia Minor, and passed through various regions of the East, visiting monasteries. He was tonsured a monk, and then ordained priest, at the Monastery of Mar Sabbas in Palestine. In 1005 he returned to his homeland, and beginning in the year 1012, he built the monasteries that are on Mount Galesion. He raised up a pillar, on which he lived as a stylite for many years, enduring unspeakable hardships for the love of Christ, and reposed in the Lord in deep old age in the year 1053, during the reign of Constantine Monomachus (1042-1055).
All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.
On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt.
Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.
This greatest and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, "John, had not the Christians stolen him from us." With such a training, and with such gifts as he had by nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a rhetorician. But through the good example of his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Meletius of Antioch (see Feb. 12), by whom he was ordained reader about the year 370, he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. From the years 374 to 381 he lived the monastic life in the hermitages that were near Antioch. His extreme asceticism undermined his health, compelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Meletius ordained him deacon about the year 381. Saint Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 Bishop Flavian ordained John presbyter of the Church of Antioch. Upon his elevation to the priesthood his career as a public preacher began, and his exceptional oratorical gifts were made manifest through his many sermons and commentaries. They are distinguished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease with which rich imagery and scriptural allusions are multiplied; by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God's providence; and, not least of all, by their earnestness and moral force, which issue from the heart of a blameless and guileless man who lived first what he preached to others. Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398, by Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy.
At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor (see May 8); Arcadius was a man of weak character, and much under the influence of his wife Eudoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom's unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Eudoxia; through Theophilus' plottings and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403. The people were in an uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened the Empress Eudoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in September of 403, and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held. Saint John's enemies, dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in this, and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter sufferings for the aged bishop, both because of the harshness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his 310 guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana in Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Basiliscus (see May 22), who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407. His last words were "Glory be to God for all things." His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirty-one years later by the Emperor Theodosius the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.
Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom ("Golden-mouth") because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles. Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honour. Besides his feasts today and on January 27, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian.
It should be noted that, because September 14 is the Exaltation of the Cross, the Saint's memory has been transferred to this day.
Prokeimenon. 3rd Tone. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.
Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.