Transfiguration of Our Saviour Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-16
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Transfiguration of Our Saviour Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (978) 458-4321
  • Street Address:

  • 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way

  • Lowell, MA 01854
  • Mailing Address:

  • 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way

  • Lowell, MA 01854


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sunday Schedule:

Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study:

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m.


Past Bulletins


Announcements

FELLOWSHIP HOUR

Everyone is welcome to join us for Fellowship following Liturgy.

RISE AGAINST HUNGER

Yesterday, March 15, Rise Against Hunger and 65 Transfiguration volunteers gathered in our fellowship hall to bag, weigh, seal, box, and ship 10,000 meals to the hungry in Kenya. The bags consisted of freeze-dried vegetables, rice, and tofu and are ready to eat with the simple addition of hot water. We thank God for this amazing outreach opportunity to feed His people; “When I was hungry, you fed Me.” Thank you to all who helped make this such a successful event.

THRIVING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE (TCI)

Tailgate party! Help craft a winning game plan for our church as we enjoy a light lunch following today's Liturgy.

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday of Lazarus, April 12th – Liturgy at 9:30 followed by Palms & Pancakes
Palm Sunday, April 13th. – Luncheon. More info to come.
Holy Friday, April 18th – Royal Hours 9:00 am – 10:00 am and Family Retreat 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

The next General Meeting takes place after Compline Service Monday, March 24 at 7:00 pm in Philoptochos room.  Please join us.

This year is Election Year, which brings a unique opportunity for growth and renewal within our organization. In May, a new Board will be elected for a two-year term.  We want to extend a heartfelt invitation to members to consider taking an active role in shaping the future of our beloved Philoptochos. Serving on the Board is a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve and to help guide the mission of our chapter.  More information to follow.

LTLC

The Transfiguration Parish family hosts dinner at the Lowell Transitional Living Center on the second Saturday of each month. The opportunity to serve dinner is open to all parishioners. Please consider signing up on the poster in the church hall. Thank you.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Right now, we’re covering 53% of our monthly expenses through your generous stewardship, and we’re so grateful for every contribution! But we’re not stopping there—our goal is 100%. When we hit that milestone, we will be able to use extra funds from events like our Greek Festival and Golf Tournament to go towards even more outreach opportunities, helping us make an even bigger impact in our community!

Save the Date!

Grecian Festival

May 30 – June 1

  

 Trinity votive candles (To Sponsor a Candle please call the Church Office.)

Vigil Light at the Side Altar (Icon of the Theotokos): In Loving Memory of Stavroula and Penelope Betses. Gone 50 years but remembered always.
†Vigil Light at the Icon of Christ: In Loving Memory of Deborah Victoria Skrekas and George and Avra Skrekas
†Vigil Light at the Theotokos: In Loving Memory of Ioannis "John" Zaralidis - from his family
†Vigil Light at the Icon of the Forerunner: In Loving Memory of Peter Sintros - 3 Year Anniversary
†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: In Loving Memory of George Tsoukalas - from his family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Weekly Inserts

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Weekly Calendar

Sunday, March 16  SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS          
†Orthros 8:30 am
†Liturgy 9:30 am 

Monday, March 17
Compline, 6:00 pm

Wednesday, March 19
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm
 Lenten Meal hosted by Philoptochos to follow

Friday, March 21
Salutations, 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 23  SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS                     
†Orthros 8:30 am
†Liturgy 9:30 am
40 Day Memorial for Josephine Betses
 

TODAY’S PARISH COUNCIL:  Carl Maib, Stephanie Gulezian & Ellen Dobi

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 24
Compline, 6:00 pm
Philoptochos General meeting following Compline

March 25
Annunciation of the Theotokos – Liturgy at Holy Trinity
Greek Independence Day

March 26
Presanctified Liturgy – Meal to follow, 6:00 pm

March 28
Salutations, 6:00 pm

March 30
Sunday of St. John Climacus

March 31                             
Compline, 6:00 pm

April 2
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy - Meal to follow, 6:00 pm 

April 4
Akathist Hymn

April 5                                 
LTLC Meal

April 6                                 
Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Monthly Trisagion
5 Year Memorial for Efstratios Gavriil
5 Year Memorial for Anthi Gavriil
Parish Assembly

April 7                                 
Compline, 6:00 pm

April 9                                 
Presanctified Liturgy – Meal to follow, 6:00 pm

 

 

                                             

 

        

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

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!"


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

To the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, let us, the faithful, give praise and worship. For he willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to endure death and raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.

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

O light of Orthodoxy, O pillar of strength and teacher of the Church! Glory of monks and nuns, and of theologians the protector invincible! O wonderworker Gregory, pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, intercede without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Victorious Lady, mighty champion, defending us, we, your servants, now inscribe to you this hymn of thanks, for you rescued us from suff'ring and tribulation. Theotokos, with your power that can never fail, keep us safe from ev'ry danger our whole life long, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
St. Peter Chrysologus
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

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

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Saints and Feasts

March 16

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.


March 16

Sabine the Martyr of Egypt

The holy Martyr Sabine was from Hermopolis in Egypt, and was known for his zeal and piety. During the persecution of Diocletian, he concealed himself with other Christians in a small dwelling outside the city. But when he was discovered, and professed his faith in Christ, he was taken before Arian the Governor, and after he had been tortured he was drowned in the river. Concerning Arian the Governor, See also December 14.


March 17

Alexios the Man of God

Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.


March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.


March 19

Chrysanthos & Daria the Martyrs

Saint Chrysanthus, who was from Alexandria, had been instructed in the Faith of Christ by a certain bishop. His father, who was a senator by rank and a pagan, had him shut up in prison for many days; then, seeing the unchanging disposition of his mind, he commanded that a certain young woman named Daria be brought from Athens. She was a very beautiful and learned maiden, and also an idolater, and Chrysanthus' father wedded him to her so that he might be drawn away from the Faith of Christ because of his love for her. Instead of this however, Chrysanthus drew Daria unto piety, and both of them boldly proclaimed Christ and received the crown of martyrdom in 283, during the reign of Numerian, when they were buried alive in a pit of mire.


March 20

Righteous Fathers slain at the Monastery of St. Savas

The Righteous Martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).


March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).


March 22

Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra

Saint Basil strove in martyrdom during the short reign of Julian the Apostate, from 361-363. The Saint was denounced as a Christian to Saturninus, Governor of Ancyra, who, when Basil would not deny Christ, had him hanged from a post and scraped on his sides, then beaten, and cast into prison. A few days later, when Julian himself came through Ancyra, the Saint was brought before him and was asked to deny Christ, Whom he rather confessed the more. Julian then had strips cut in his flesh, so that they were left hanging from his body in front and in back. The valiant Martyr tore one of these strips off of his body and cast it into Julian's face. At this Julian commanded that iron spits be heated fiery hot; Saint Basil's belly, his back, and all his joints were pierced with them, and he received the crown of martyrdom.


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