ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΩΝ ΤΑΞΙΑΡΧΩΝ TAXIARCHAE/ARCHANGELS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472 ♦ 617.924.8182—Phone ♦ 617.924.4124—Fax Rev. Fr. Athanasios Nenes, Parish Priest 914.479.8096—Cell Phone [email protected]—Email MARCH 8, 2015 — SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY OF PALAMBAS Tuesday, March 10—Greek School—4:00 pm Wednesday, March 11—AHEPA Bowling Wednesday, March 11—Pre-Sanctified Liturgy (TaxiarchaeArchangels)—6:00 pm Thursday, March 12—Greek School—4:00 pm Friday, March 13—3rd Heretismoi/Salutations to the Theotokos—7:00 pm Friday, March 13—AHEPA Drop-In (Atrium) Saturday, March 14—Greek School—10:00 am Hymns of the Day Resurrectional Apolytikion–Plagal 2nd Mode O Christ, the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the guards were as dead, and Mary stood by the sepulcher, seeking Your sacred body. You destroyed Hades yet remained untouched by it. You encountered the Virgin and through her, bestowed Life. Glory to You who has risen from the dead! Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Apolytikion for Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved. Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ, Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε, τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ, τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος· Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κήρυξ τῆς χάριτος· ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Seasonal Kontakion–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!" Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. March 08—St. Gregory of Palambas 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. Epistle Reading 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. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 1:10-14; 2:1-3 Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί· αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη. Gospel Reading S u n d ay of St. Gre g o r y The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12 P al am as 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!" Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι᾿ ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν· καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων· καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν· τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν. 2015 COMMITMENT CARD INFORMATION __________________________ Name __________________________ Spouse Name (if applicable) __________________________ Street Address __________________________ City / State / Zip Code __________________________ Home Phone __________________________ Mobile Phone __________________________ Email Address TREASURE In gratitude for God’s blessings, I/ We commit to Christ and His Church the following amount: $_________ weeklymonthly/annual PLANNED GIVING _____Please send me information on making a planned gift to the church. TIME & TALENT Individual stewards should indicate areas of interest with a check mark. Families should mark “H” for husband, “W” for wife and “C” for children. LITURGICAL ___Sanctuary & Altar Care ___Altar boys/Acolytes ___Baking Prosphoro ___Choir ___Reader ___Greeter/Usher MINISTRIES AND PROGRAMS ___Campus Ministry ___Welcome Team ___New Member Events ___Outreach ___Stewardship ___Sunday Fellowship/Coffee ___Visitation—Hospital ___Visitation—Shut-ins ___Feed the Hungry ___Grief Bereavement Group ___Disaster Relief Projects ___Blood Drives ___Project Mexico ___IOCC ___OCMC Mission Center ___Seniors Ministry ___Couples Ministry ___Singles Ministry ___Military Ministry COMMUNICATIONS ___Website and Email ___Bulletin and Newsletter ___Public Relations EDUCATION ___Bible Study ___Adult Rel. Education Dependent children’s names and ___Intro to Orthodoxy birthdates: ___Publications __________________________ ___Publications __________________________ ___Speakers ___Bookstore __________________________ ___Library May we include your contact info in YOUTH the parish directory? ___Church School Teacher _____Yes _____No ___Church School Administration May we add you to our parish email ___Youth Leader list? ___Vacation Church School _____Yes _____No ___Camp Counselor Any other talents or information on In the Gospel of Saint Matthew BUILDING AND GROUNDS items listed above: (6:19), Jesus instructs us, "Do not ___Garden and Landscape _____________________________ store up for yourselves treasures on ___Plumbing _____________________________ earth, where moth and rust destroy, ___Electrical and where thieves break in and ___Clean-up steal….” Often in life, we pursue ___Interior Repairs PAY BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD and collect those things that do not ___Exterior Repairs last. We must ask, “One hundred Credit Card: ___ ___ ___Roofing years from now, where will our ___Hall Rentals possessions be?” Our greatest Cardholder: ____________________________ blessing is our family. As Orthodox ADMINISTRATION Christians, we are called to be stew- ___Fiscal Mgt/Review Acct. #: ________________________________ ards of this great gift. If we are ___By-Laws Exp. Date: _____________________________ faithful to this calling, perhaps our ___Devel./Fundraising Lord will say to us as he did to the ___Office Help CVV2Code: ____________________________ faithful steward, “Well done good ___Computer/Technical (3 or 4 digit on back of card) and faithful servant” (Mt 25:23). ___Data Entry __________________________ Spouse Email (if applicable) # of Pledges Amount Range 2 $10,000 5 2015 Stewardship Summary as of February 23, 2015 Total pledges received: $124,723 Thank you to the following Total offerings received: $74,526 2015 pledges. Our goal for 2015 $2,000-$4,000 Due towards pledged amount: 32 $1,000-$1,999 Number of Stewards: $50,197 we have received pledges equal 181 to 41% of our goal. 52 $500-$999 Largest pledge thus far: $10,000 omitted from this list, please notify 40 $300-$499 50 Less than $300 Mr. & Mrs. John Abate Mr. Thomas Agathopoulos Mrs. Evelyn Alex Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Alex Mr. William Alex Mrs. Stella Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Anastos Mr. & Mrs. George Andritsakis Ms. Paula Antipas Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Anzalone Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Avtges Mr. & Mrs. Alexander W. Avtgis Fr. & Presb. Theodore J. Barbas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Berlis Mr. & Mrs. James Berlis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Bitsikas Mr. Joseph Boisvert Mr. & Mrs. Michael Brescia Mrs. Emily Briguglio Mr. & Mrs. Aristides Cagos Mrs. Isminy Cagos Ms. Hope Carras Mr. & Mrs. Frank Catrickes Mr. & Mrs. Harry Chehames Mr. & Mrs. George Christakis Mr. & Mrs. N. Christakis Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Christakis Mr. & Mrs. Peter N. Christakis Mrs. Filio Christodoulopoulos Mrs. Christine Cokkinias Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Colivas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Colivas Mr. & Mrs. Charles Daskalos Mr. & Mrs. Konst. Davos Mrs. Mina Davos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Davos Mr. & Mrs. E.Deamantopoulos Mr. Nicholas Delegas Mr. & Mrs. O. Demetriades Mr. George Demos Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Demos Mrs. Karen DiGiovanni Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Ducas Ms. Joyce Dovinos Mrs. Afrodite Economos Mr. Philip Emmanuel stewards who have sent in their is $300,000. As of February 23, If any names have been mistakenly the church office and we will make the corrections. Εάν έχει γίνει παράλειψις ονομάτων σ’αυτόν τον κατάλογο, παρακαλούμε αμέσως όπως αποτανθήτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας και θα κάνουμε τις διορθώσεις στο επόμενο τεύχος. Mr. & Mrs. George Faggas Mr. & Mrs. J. Ryan Flynn Mr. & Mrs. George Fotis Mr. & Mrs. Steven Fotopoulos Dr. Leah Fygetakis Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Gartaganis Mr. & Mrs. Marinos Gartaganis Ms. Olga Geanacopulos Mr. & Mrs. Louis Georgantas Mr. & Mrs. James Georgoudis Mr. & Mrs. John Giacoumakis Mr. Vasilios Gizanis Mr. Michael Gregory Mrs. Helen Haralampu Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Harris Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hodgetts Mrs. Carol Hogan Mr. & Mrs. William Hunter Mr. & Mrs. Paul Iannazzi Mr. & Mrs. James Jumes Mr. & Mrs. N. Kacoyanis Mr. & Mrs. Perikles Kalavantis Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kalivas Mr. & Mrs. George Kaliviotis Mr. & Mrs. Steven Kaloyanides Mrs. Mary Kanellias Mrs. Paraskeve Kantges Mr. & Mrs. Charles Karafotias Mr. Costas Karageorgis Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Karalis Mr. Nicholas Karellas Ms. Constance Katsos Mr. & Mrs. Chris. Ketcios Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kolokythas Mr. Sophocles Kondoleon Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Kontos Mr. & Mrs. John Kopellas Ms. Elaine Kotsifas Mr. & Mrs. Steven Kotsiras Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Koufos Ms. Angeline Kounelis Mrs. Evangelia Kounelis Mr. Steven Kourepenis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Koutovas Ms. Angela Kringos Mr. John Kyriakos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Lagos Mrs. Bette Salimbas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lalooses Mr. Steven Salimbas Mr. & Mrs. James Lambrianidis Mr. & Mrs. George Sarris Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Latzanakis Mrs. Lucy Sarris Mr. & Mrs. Scott Lemay Mrs. Alyce Savas Mrs. Evanthia Lemonias Mrs. Anna Savas Ms. Frances Levas Mr. & Mrs. Eleftheris Savvides Ms. Lemonia Litopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Sikellis Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Lucente Mrs. Christine Smerlas Mr. & Mrs. Brian MacKintosh Ms. Donna Smerlas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Madis Ms. Iris Speros Mrs. Denna Magos Mr. Peter Speros Mrs. Bess Manousos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Speros Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Marios Mr. Vassilios Spirounis Mr. & Mrs. Rudolf Markic Mr. & Mrs. Peter Stamatakos Dr. & Mrs. Brian Marriott Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Stavropoulos Mrs. Irene Martinos Mrs. Christine Straggas Mr. & Mrs. Brian Matsas Dr. & Mrs. Richard Strakus Mr. & Mrs. John Melithoniotes Mrs. Kathy Sturgis Presbytera Penelope Metaxas Mr. & Mrs. David Sullivan Ms. Stella Metaxas Mr. & Mrs. Elias Tembelopoulos Ms. Diana Meyers Mrs. Thomai Theodorakos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Michael Mr. & Mrs. Christos Thomidis Mr. & Mrs. Alexandros Michaelidis Mr. & Mrs. Costas Tingos Mrs. Evangeline Miller Mr. & Mrs. Ike Tingos Ms. Gabriela Mitevska Mrs. Irene Travlos Mr. & Mrs. Athan. Mitropoulos Ms. Efthalia Triarhou Ms. Priscilla Moskos Mrs. Patricia Tsacoyianis Mr. Evangelos Nichols Mr. & Mrs. Dem. Tsatsarones Mr. & Mrs. Charles O’Rourke Mr. & Mrs. Dem. Tsoumbanos Mr. Matthew Panos Mr. & Mrs. Aris Tziavas Mr. & Mrs. Ike Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Scott Usechek Mr. & Mrs. Efstr. Papaporfiriou Mr. & Mrs. James Vafiades Mrs. Soultana Papavassiliou Mrs. Julie Vahos Mr. & Mrs. Chr. Papayannopoulos Vangelatos Sisters Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Pappas Mr. Charles Vasiliades Ms. Diana Parasirakis Mrs. Iphigenia Vasiliadis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Parasirakis Mr. & Mrs. George Vouloukos Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Patsios Mr. Athanasios Vulgaropulos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Patsios Mrs. Julia Welch Ms. Ellea Polimou Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wilson Mr. Michael Popas Mr. & Mrs. Costa Zahos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Racheotes Mr. & Mrs. Demos Zevitas Ms. Nancy Rallis Mrs. Katherine Sakorafas Mr. & Mrs. William Salamanis Thank You PROSPHORO BAKERS NEEDED! S The Holy Prosphoro Bakers aints Spyridon and Nicodemus were monks in the caves of Kievan Pechersk in the 12th century. They led very strict, ascetic lives. They fulfilled their obedience by baking prosphoro (holy bread used for Communion) for thirty years. They did their work with unceasing prayer and singing of Psalms. Once, while St. Spyridon was tending the oven, his mantle caught fire. The fire was put out and the mantle showed no sign of being burned. We have a continuous need for Prosphoro, especially during the Lenten season. Please consider making a regular offering of this holy bread. If you need a recipe or instructions on how to make prosphoro, please call the church office at 617.924.8182. Thank you! IN OUR BOOKSTORE NOW! Guide to the Divine Liturgy by Robert Krantz Yiayias and Papous, Mothers and Fathers, would you like to have a better understanding of what is happening during the Divine Liturgy? Would you like your children and grandchildren to understand the Divine Liturgy and help them stay in the faith? Do you know someone who is thinking of converting to Orthodoxy? This book is a guide to what is happening and why it is happening during the entire Divine Liturgy. You can take this book with you to church and follow along. On the right hand side of the book is the Divine Liturgy in Greek and English. On the left side, we explain what is happening and why it is happening. Learn what an Antiphon is, what The Creed is, why we believe there are angels present during the Divine Liturgy and much, much more! Available at our bookstore on Sunday mornings for $20 or call the office for more information—617.924.8182. Announcements WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Liturgy in the social hall. For those visiting an Orthodox Church, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. However, all present are welcome to partake of the Antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. MEMORIALS: Today we offer the memorial service for Katherine Arvanitis (40 days), Stella Antipas (40 days), Nikolaos and Maria, Fotoula Perdikoyannis, and Vasiliki (Bessie) Bedigian. May their memory be eternal! Αιωνία η Mνήμη! PARKING: Help us be a good neighbor. When parking at the Watertown Savings Bank, the ATM needs to be accessible to bank patrons, even on Sunday’s! Please be considerate. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: On Wednesday, March 18, Philoptochos will host the Lenten meal after the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. We are asking for volunteers to bring in Lenten meals for that evening. GRECIAN FESTIVAL 2015: We are looking for a festival chairperson! If you know of someone who would be interested, please call the church office at 617.924.8182. Thank you! FOOD DRIVE: The Sunday School will once again sponsor a food drive during Lent. We will be collecting nonperishable food items to donate to the Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Allston to fill the shelves of their food pantry. We pray that you will support their endeavors on behalf of those in need. Thank you for your help. GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: Our Greek School will celebrate Greek Independence Day immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Metaxas Hall on Sunday, March 22. Our children have prepared a beautiful program of poems and songs. Please join us in celebrating the birth of our Greek Nation, in recognition of the sacrifices made for our independence. Journey with us through Great Lent by attending the many church services that are taking place! 2015-2016 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships Available NEW YORK – Applications and instructions for three scholarships administered by the Department of Philanthropy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are available for awards to be made for the 2015-2016 academic year. The George & Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship and the Katina John Malta Scholarship are for undergraduate studies, and the Paleologos Scholarship is awarded for graduate work of a non-theological nature. Each of these scholarships was established through generous gifts from dedicated Greek Orthodox Christians who wanted to provide financial assistance towards the education of young people from our Orthodox Christian community. Applications can be accessed by visiting www.goarch.org (scholarships are listed in the ‘SPOTLIGHT’ section on the homepage). For more information, please email [email protected] or call 212-774-0283. The deadline for submitting an application for any of these scholarships is Monday, April 27, 2015. ENCYCLICAL OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS FOR HOLY AND GREAT LENT 2015 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…. Matthew 3:8 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In the hymns and services of the Triodion period and at the entrance of this holy season of Great Lent, we are called to repentance. We are invited to come before God in the humility of the Publican. We are beckoned to return to His dwelling and His compassionate embrace as the Prodigal Son. We are confronted with the causes of our separation from God and our need for His great mercy. It is truly a time of repentance as we prepare to commemorate and contemplate all that has been done for us through Christ our Lord. This solemn and reflective journey is not one of despair. This is not a time of inconsolable grief or of deep anguish and anxiety. Holy andGreat Lent is a time of spiritual renewal in which repentance finds forgiveness and grace, engenders hope, strengthens our faith and leads us to abundant and eternal life. First, we know through the Gospel that genuine repentance receives forgiveness and grace. The sincerity of the Publican expressed in his cry, God, be merciful to me a sinner, was recognized by God, and his sins were forgiven (Luke 18:13). John the Baptist preached, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, calling people to prepare to receive the One who was coming in grace and truth (Matthew 3:2). The Cross of our Lord is before us, offering by the grace of God a way to salvation through repentance. Second, repentance nurtures hope. As the power of God’s grace transforms us, as we see the blessedness of life restored to communion with Him, we experience the joy of hope. For the Prodigal Son it was the journey to return to the house of his father, hoping that something better awaited. At the beginning of this holy season our repentance leads us on the path of hope, knowing that hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Third, as through repentance we receive forgiveness and grace and our hearts are filled with hope, our faith is strengthened. As we prepare to celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promise to defeat death, restore us to life, and lead us to the Resurrection, our faith in Him grows. Finally, in this sacred time of prayer and reflection, our repentance leads us to salvation. Through repentance our eyes are opened, we turn from darkness to light so that we may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18). Through the revelation of the absolute truth by Christ and His Cross and Resurrection, we know where our repentance leads, and we know that ultimately we enter the ineffable realm of a saved life with the perspective of eternity. At the beginning of the Great Fast and Holy Lent, let us contemplate the power of repentance and take this opportunity to examine our hearts and minds. Let us pray in humility seeking the forgiveness and grace of God, returning to communion with Him. Let us find renewed hope in the light, peace, and joy that comes from our Crucified and Risen Lord. With paternal love in Christ, †DEMETRIOS Lentil Soup (Fakes) Luncheon A traditional Lenten meal, made up of lentils, vegetables and spices. It is filling, delicious and bursting with nutrition! Sunday, March 8, 2015 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Join us for a Lenten meal and fellowship. CONSULATE GENERAL IFIGENIA KANARA Ms. Ifigenia Kanara, Consulate General of Boston, will visit our parish on Sunday, March 8. Ms. Kanara, along with her staff, will be available to assist our Taxiarchae parishioners with any documentation issues or questions they may have. This is an ideal opportunity to benefit from the expertise of the Consulate staff with the added convenience of meeting them in our own church hall! Η κα. Ιφιγένεια Καναρά, Γενικός Πρόξενος της Βοστώνης, θα επισκευθή την κοινότητά μας την Κυριακή, 8 Μαρτίου. Η Κα. Καναρά, με το προσωπικό της, θα είναι διαθέσιμη να εξυπηρετήσει τους ενορίτες μας με οποιαδήποτε ζητήματα τεκμηρίωσης ή απορίες που μπορεί να έχουν. Θα είναι μια ιδανική ευκαιρία να επωφεληθούν από την τεχνογνωσία του προσωπικού προξενείου, με την πρόσθετη ευκολία να γίνει η συνάντηση αυτή στην αίθουσα μας. “Let my prayer rise as incense before You . . . And the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice.” Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgies Inter-parish prayer fellowship on the following dates: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 Annunciation Cathedral Chapel, 162 Goddard Ave., Brookline, MA—6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 Taxiarchae/Archangels Church, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA—6 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 St. Catherine Church, 119 Common Street, Braintree, MA—6 p.m. Please note: Wednesdays—February 25, March 11, and March 25— services will be held at home parishes at 6:00 p.m. F ollowing the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy on these days, the host community will offer a Lenten dinner for all in attendance. An open discussion over dinner on a Lenten theme will also take place. All are invited to join in prayer on these days—young and old alike. Come and join us as we progress through our journey of Great and Holy Lent. Chrysostom Scholarship New! FOUR-YEAR TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS are now being awarded to senior and junior division, 1st, 2nd , and 3rd place finalists in each category (oratory, essay, and poetry) of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, beginning at the parish level and increasing in amount through the national level. Students must matriculate to Hellenic College from high school and be accepted to take advantage of their scholarship. Please see Hellenic College Terms and Conditions for scholarship amounts and more detailed information at: www.hchc.edu/admissions/scholarships AHEPA NEWS 2015 AHEPA DISTRICT #8 SCHOLARSHIPS: Applications are now available to high school seniors or undergraduate college students who will be or are attending an accredited four year college or university; 24 scholarships will be awarded. Deadline for applying is May 1, 2015. For more information, please call Athanasios Vulgaropulos—781.704.7870. AHEPA MEETING: Regular meeting will take place on Thursday, March 12 with social hour at 7 pm followed by meeting at 7:30. Agenda items: Initiation ceremony for Atty. Apostolis (Paul) Kolovos; processing of other membership applications; reports by Chapter President, officers and committees.; remarks by District and National Officers on important AHEPA topics; District 8 scholarship applications for children and grandchildren of AHEPANS; plans for welcoming and assisting approximately 48 students and teachers from the musical high school of Larissa, Greece who will be visiting Boston from March 26-31, 2015; discussion of other matters. SENIORS DROP-IN CENTER: Please stop by on Friday’s from 10 am—1 pm to play tavli (backgammon) in the Atrium. BOWLING: Bowling takes place on Wednesdays. For more information, please call Demetri Tsatsarones through the church office—617.924.8182. Palm Sunday Taxiarchae Family Luncheon Sunday, April 5, 2015 12:30 p.m. Adults Complete Fish Dinner $25 per adult Children Under 12 Pasta Dinner $10 per child Luncheon will be limited to 300 people. We ask that you please pay in advance. Please call Lin in the church office at 617.924.8182 or email [email protected] to make your reservation. EARLY RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED! Palm Sunday Family Luncheon Reservation Form Name: ________________________________________________________________ Telephone: ( ) _______________________________________________________ Amount of tickets you are buying: Adults: _____ Children: _____ Please complete and return this form, along with your payment, to: Taxiarchae/Archangels, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472. Please make checks payable to: Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale Sunday, April 5, 2015 Homemade tsourekia, Greek desserts, decorated Easter candles, red eggs and much more! Holy Week and Pascha Decorations Sunday, April 5—Sunday, April 12, 2015 Palm Sunday Morning Service Palms and decorations—$500 Icon (Palm Sunday) floral arrangement—$75 Palm Sunday Evening to Holy Wednesday Evening Iconostasis gates decorations—$200 Nymphios (Bridegroom) Icon floral arrangement—$100 Altar table decorations—$75 Holy Wednesday—Mystical Supper Icon floral arrangement—$75 Holy Thursday Wreath for Cross (Estavromenos)—$175 Icon (Crucifixion) floral arrangement—$75 Two additional wreaths—$75 each Holy Friday Epitaphio flowers—$800 Kouvouklion dome decorations—$300 Iconostasis gates decorations—$200 Icon (Extreme Humility) floral arrangement—$75 Holy Saturday/Pascha Iconostasis gates decorations—$300 Bay Leaves and Rose Petals—$100 Resurrection Banner—$100 Icon (Resurrection) floral arrangement—$100 Altar Table decorations—$75 Icon in Narthex (Resurrection) floral arrangement—$75 Paschal Candle—$50 Hydrangeas—$25 each Taxiarchae/Archangels, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472 TO DONATE FLOWERS, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 617.924.8182. THANK YOU! Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Donation Item: _______________________________________________ Donation Amount: _______________
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