Transcript March 27 - Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΩΝ ΤΑΞΙΑΡΧΩΝ
TAXIARCHAE/ARCHANGELS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472 ♦ 617.924.8182—Phone ♦ 617.924.4124—Fax
www.goarchangels.org
Rev. Fr. Athanasios Nenes, Parish Priest
914.479.8096—Cell Phone
[email protected]—Email
SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY OF PALAMAS, MARCH 27, 2016
TODAY—Movie Night—3:00 p.m. (see inside flyer)
SUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES
TUESDAY, MARCH 29—Greek School (4-6 pm)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30—Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at Taxiarchae/Archangels—6:00 pm (see inside flyer)
THURSDAY, MARCH 31—Greek School (4-6 p.m.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 1—Blood Pressure Clinic—9:00 a.m.-12:00 pm
SATURDAY, APRIL 2—Greek School (10-1 pm)
SUNDAY, APRIL 3—Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston (see inside flyer)
WED., APRIL 6—Inter-Parish Pre-Sanctified Liturgy—Annunciation Church, 162 Goddard Ave., Brookline, MA—6:00 pm
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13—Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at Taxiarchae/Archangels—6:00 pm (see inside flyer)
WED., APR 20—Inter-Parish Pre-Sanctified Liturgy—Taxiarchae/Archangels, 25 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA—6:00 pm
SATURDAY, APRIL 23—Saturday of Lazarus (see inside flyer)
SUNDAY, APRIL 24—Palm Sunday Taxiarchae Family Luncheon—Immediately after Liturgy (see inside flyer)
SUNDAY, APRIL 24—Philoptochos Palm Sunday Bake Sale (see inside flyer)
FRIDAY, APRIL 29—Good Friday Youth Retreat (see inside flyer)
SUNDAY, MAY 1—PASCHA!
TAXIARCHAE/ARCHANGELS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH—WATERTOWN, MA
HYMNS OF THE DAY
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode
When You descended to death, O Immortal
Life, then, the light of Your divinity destroyed
Hades. When You raised the dead from the
depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers
cried out, "Glory to You our Christ, the Giver of
Life."
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ
ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ
ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς
τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας,
πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων
ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν 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 in the Plagal 4th 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.
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.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 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.
TAXIARCHAE/ARCHANGELS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH—WATERTOWN, MA
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!"
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12
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
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.
PROSPHORO BAKERS NEEDED!
The Holy Prosphoro Bakers
S
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!
The Significance of Great Lent
Great Lent before Easter is when the Christian participates fully in preparing himself to praise
and glorify his God as Lord and Savior. Great Lent is like a "workshop" where the character of
the faithful is spiritually uplifted and strengthened; where his life is rededicated to the
principles and ideals of the Gospel; where the faith culminates in deep conviction of life; where
apathy and disinterest turn into vigorous activities of faith and good works. Lent is not for the
sake of Lent itself, as fasting is not for the sake of fasting. But they are means by which and
for which the individual believer prepares himself to reach for, accept and attain the calling of
his Savior. Therefore, the significance of Great Lent is highly appraised, not only by the monks
who gradually increased the length of time of the Lent, but also by the lay people themselves,
although they do not observe the full length of time. As such, Great Lent is the sacred Institute
of the Church to serve the individual believer in participating as a member of the Mystical Body
of Christ, and, from time to time, to improve the standards of faith and morals in his Christian
life. The deep intent of the believer during the Great Lent is "forgetting what lies behind and
straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus", Philippians 3:13-14.
MARCH 27—SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY OF 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.
IN OUR BOOKSTORE NOW!
LENTEN READING!
The Lenten Covenant
By Rev. Dr. Leonidas Contos
A devotional commentary on Lenten themes,
written by the Rev. Dr. Leonidas Contos.
Although written primarily with the layperson in
mind, all will find in it something to deepen their
Lenten experience of the “Bright Sadness.”
Lenten Reading
All available in our Church Bookstore
Holy Week—Easter
is a book of the Holy
Week Services.
The Akathist Hymn—Profound,
devotional poem, which sings praises
of the Holy Mother and Ever-Virgin
Mary which we chant the first five
Friday’s during Lent.
The Lenten
Collection was
published at the
suggestion of His
Eminence
Metropolitan
Methodios of Boston
to help guide in the
preparation of Lenten The Orthodox Study
meals.
Bible
The Lenten Spring is for all
Christians who undertake the
yearly journey to the blessed
Pascha of our Lord will find
inspiration and guidance in these
meditations.
Great Lent—Journey to Pascha
examines the meaning of Liturgy of
the Presanctified Gifts, the Prayer of
St Ephraim the Syrian, and other
neglected or misunderstood treasures
of Lenten worship.
The Lenten
Covenant is a
devotional
Commentary on
the Lenten
Triodion of the
Journey Through The
Great Fast is a book
that can serve as a map
for our Great Fast
journey.
Great Lent Unplugged is an
antidote to the human propensity
to overdo personal spiritual
loftiness. It is a book to put the
Lenten journey in perspective,.
“Let my prayer rise as incense before You . . .
And the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice.”
Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgies
March 16 through April 20, 2016
Inter-parish prayer fellowship on the following dates:
Wednesday, March 16, March 30 and April 13—
Services will be held at our home parish at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
St. Nicholas, 17 Meriam Street, Lexington, MA—6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Annunciation Cathedral Chapel, 162 Goddard Ave., Brookline, MA—6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Taxiarchae/Archangels, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA—6 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.
Philoptochos Annual
Palm Sunday Bake Sale
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Homemade tsourekia, Greek desserts,
decorated Easter candles,
red eggs and much more!
PALM SUNDAY
TAXIARCHAE FAMILY LUNCHEON
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2016
(Immediately after liturgy)
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 the church office at 617.924.8182 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
Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church
25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472
Saturday of Lazarus
April 23, 2016
8:45 am—Orthos
9:45 am—Divine Liturgy
Followed by:
Breakfast, Weaving Palm Crosses,
Church Decorating/Cleaning, Confession
All JOY, GOYA, Sunday School, Greek School, young adults and the
ENTIRE TAXIARCHAE FAMILY are invited to join us on this day!
For more information, please call the church office at 617.924.8182.
GOOD FRIDAY
YOUTH RETREAT
April 29, 2016
Grades 1—High School—10:00 am—4:30 pm
Pre-School/Kindergarten—Begins at 1:00 pm
9:00 am—Service of the Royal Hours
10:00 am—Registration
10:30 am—Retreat Program (includes lunch)
3:00-4:30 pm—Apokathelosis Service
LOVE/HOPE/JOY, Jr./Sr.
GOYA, Sunday School and
Greek School students are
invited to join us for our
ANNUAL GOOD FRIDAY
RETREAT! ALL students
should be excused from school
on this holy day and
participate for the entire
day. If you need a letter to
be excused from school,
please call the church office
at 617.924.8182.
o
T
y
a
d
!
!
!
AHEPA NEWS
Harris J. Booras
Chapter #406
Greetings to all! Spring has sprung! AHEPA members and our Taxiarchae community
are enjoying our Orthodox traditions of three weeks of Triodion, six weeks of Lent
(Sarakosti) with the Pre-Sanctified Liturgies, Salutations, Saturdays of the Souls, and
Sunday Liturgies leading to Palm Sunday and Pascha on May 1. In parallel, we have
the Evangelismos and Greek Independence Day on March 25 and related celebrations
and parade events on April 1-3. We wish all 
Our chapter will hold our regular meeting (4th in 2016) on Thursday, April 14, 2016 in the Atrium
(Taxiarcae/Archangels, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA) with social gathering and refreshments at 7:00
p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The agenda will include:
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Reports by the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers.
Reports by Chapter Committees on coming activities and plans and proposals for new activities.
Remarks by visiting District/Regional and Supreme officers, if present.
Processing of additional membership applications if/as submitted.
Plans for AHEPA Sunday Celebration – May 15, 2016 to benefit the St. Nicholas drive, and details
of our celebration and benefit fundraiser in mid-October 2016.
 Other discussions and proposals for the benefit of the Order of AHEPA.
 Other items and future business (including the St. Nicholas Shrine and Aid to Greece HQ Drives).
 District 8 Scholarships. Again, scholarship applications are here!. Eligible are children, grandchildren
(of current AHEPAns in good standing) who are high school seniors entering college in September
2016 and/or undergraduate college students continuing their studies. Apply early. Deadline is May 1,
2016! Call Athanasi Vulgaropulos at 781.704.7870 or Costas Lagos at 617.935.1746 or
email [email protected].
Again, we welcome your membership dues ($70) for 2016. Thanks to all members who have already
submitted theirs. Please recruit any friend or family members or others who may be interested in
joining our AHEPA chapter. We need new innovative ideas to sustain and expand our
chapter membership and to contribute to AHEPA’s causes.
Tavlii/backgammon continues on Fridays in the Atrium (or alternate location) - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Please let us know if a brother is sick or in need. Good News! Our Secretary, Br. Athanasios
Vulgaropulos, is much better and is due back on March 25!
Fraternally,
Constantine B. Lagos
Treasurer (and email communications)
We welcome suggestions as well as inquiries for membership or other information. Contact numbers as
follows:
John Abate, President—617.797.9499 / 617.484.5946
Basil Patsios—617.923.9209 / 897.928.1803
Athanasios Vulgaropulos—781.704.7870
Constantine Lagos—617.935.1746
Demetri Tsatsarones—781.893.5988 / 781.266.8001
George Loridas—617.926.8674 / 617.775.4574
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I become a member of the parish?
Membership in the Orthodox Church begins at baptism (Chrismation for some) and continues throughout
our life. We are united with Christ through the sacraments, or mysteries of the Church and through our
faithful offering of our entire selves to Jesus Christ. Our Archdiocese requires each parish to distinguish
between voting members and non-voting members. A voting member is over 18 years of age and turns
in a signed stewardship commitment card, committing a portion of time, talent and treasure to the
Church. The Archdiocese also requires the voting member to remain current through the year on their
commitments. Keep in mind that true membership in the Body of Christ involves living according to His
word and with His Church.
Why must I commit to give a specific amount?
Please keep in mind that your stewardship of money is kept in the strictest of confidence. However, we
do compile the amounts anticipated to better plan our budget.
What if I cannot fulfill my stewardship commitment?
During the course of a year, people’s circumstances change. Your stewardship is valued because it is
made out of your love for God and His Church. Please do not be concerned if you are unable to meet
your stewardhip commitment—we are glad you are part of this parish.
CHISTIAN STEWARDSHIP IS:
 Learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ’s Church; it is learning how to
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enjoy Church life and be happy in Church work, for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God.
Our active commitment to use all our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in
grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love.
Caring for the needs of others.
Offering one’s self to God as He offered Himself to us.
What a person does after saying “I believe . . . “, as proof of that belief.
Devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as diocese/metropolis, as
national Church and as Church universal.
2016 STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT CARD
INFORMATION
___________________________
Name
___________________________
Spouse Name (if applicable)
___________________________
Street Address
___________________________
City / State / Zip Code
___________________________
Home Phone
___________________________
Mobile Phone
___________________________
Email Address
___________________________
Spouse Email (if applicable)
Dependent children’s names and
birthdates:
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
May we include your contact info
in the parish directory?
_____Yes
_____No
May we add you to our parish
email list?
_____Yes
_____No
In the Gospel of Saint Matthew
(6:19), Jesus instructs us, "Do not
store up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and
steal….” Often in life, we pursue
and collect those things that do not
last. We must ask, “One hundred
years from now, where will our
possessions be?” Our greatest
blessing is our family. As Orthodox
Christians, we are called to be stewards of this great gift. If we are
faithful to this calling, perhaps our
Lord will say to us as he did to the
faithful steward, “Well done good &
faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
TREASURE
___Altar boys/Acolytes
In gratitude for God’s blessings, I/ ___Baking Prosphoro
We commit to Christ and His ___Choir
Church the following amount:
___Reader
$________ weeklymonthly/annual ___Greeter/Usher
TIME & TALENT
MINISTRIES AND PROGRAMS
Individual stewards indicate areas ___Campus Ministry
of interest with a checkmark. ___Welcome Team
Families mark “H” for husband, ___New Member Events
“W” for wife and “C” for children. ___Outreach
EDUCATION
___Stewardship
___Bible Study
___Sunday Fellowship/Coffee
___Adult Rel. Education
___Visitation—Hospital
___Intro to Orthodoxy
___Visitation—Shut-ins
___Publications
___Feed the Hungry
___Speakers
___Grief Bereavement Group
___Bookstore
___Disaster Relief Projects
___Library
___Blood Drives
YOUTH
___Project Mexico
___Church School Teacher
___IOCC
___Church School Administration
___OCMC Mission Center
___Youth Leader
___Seniors Ministry
___Vacation Church School
___Couples Ministry
___Camp Counselor
___Singles Ministry
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
___Military Ministry
___Garden & Landscape
COMMUNICATIONS
___Plumbing
___Website and Email
___Electrical
___Bulletin and Newsletter
___Clean-up
___Public Relations
___Interior Repairs
Any other talents or info on
___Exterior Repairs
items listed above:
___Roofing
_______________________
___Hall Rentals
___________________________
ADMINISTRATION
PAY BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
___Fiscal Mgt/Review
___By-Laws
Credit Card: ___
___
___Fundraising
Cardholder: ___________________________
___Office Help
Acct. #: ______________________________
___Computer/Technical
Exp. Date: ____________________________
___Data Entry
CVV2 Code: ___________________________
LITURGICAL
___Sanctuary & Altar Care (3 or 4 digit on back of card)
ON FASTING BY BISHOP MAXIMOS, FORMER METROPOLITAN OF PITTSBURGH
Fasting, in our days, has become one of the most neglected spiritual values. Because of misunderstandings
regarding the nature of fasting, because of confused and reversed priorities in its use, many of today’s Orthodox
Christians fast very little or disregard fasting altogether.
Fasting was practiced by te Lord Himself. After prayer and fasting for forty days to the wilderness, the Lord
victoriously faced the temptations of the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). The Lord himself asked the disciples to use fasting as
an important spiritual weapon to achieve spiritual victories (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29; Luke 2:37). The example of the
Lord was followed by His disciples (Acts 14:23, 27:9, I Corinthians 7:5; II Corinthians 6:5, 11:27, etc.) What is fasting?
Why is it so important? Why does fasting precede such important feasts such as Easter and Christmas?
The importance of fasting depends on its meaning. Many of the Fathers have written on fasting. Among others, St.
Basil has left us with most inspired comments on fasting. St. Basil tells us that fasting is not abstaining from food only;
it is first of all, abstaining from sin. Grounded in the teaching of the Fathers, the Church in its hymnology describes
fasting as the mother of chastity and prudence, as the accuser of sin and as the advocate of repentance, the life worthy
of angels and the salvation of humans (The Lenten Triodion, trans. Kallistos Ware, London 1978, p. 195). Fasting
becomes all of these when observed in the proper spirit.
First of all, fasting is abstinence from food. By detaching us from early goods and realities, fasting has a liberating
effect on us and makes us worthy of the life of the spirit, a life similar to that of angels. Second, fasting, as abstinence
from bad habits and sin, is the mother of Christian virtues, the mother of sound and wholesome thinking; it allows us to
establish the proper priority between the material and spiritual, giving priority to the spiritual.
Fasting is the advocate of repentance. Adam and Eve disobeyed God; they refused to fast from the forbidden fruit.
They became slaves of their own desires. But now through fasting, through obedience to the rules of the Church
regarding the use of spiritual and material goods, we may return to the life in Paradise, a life of communion with God,
Thus, fasting is a means of salvation, this salvation being a life we live in accordance with the Divine will, in communion
with God.
Because of the liberating effect of fasting, both material and spiritual, the Church has connected fasting with the
celebration of the major feasts of our tradition. Easter is, of course, our main feast. It is the “feast of feasts”. It is the
feast of our liberation from the bondage of sin, from corrupted nature, from death. For on that day, through His
Resurrection from the dead, Christ has raised us “from death to life, and from earth to heaven” (Resurrection Canon),
Christ, “our new Passover”, has taken us away from the land of slavery, sin and death, to the promised land of freedom
bliss and glory; from our sinful condition to resurrected life.
It is most appropriate to prepare for this celebration through a liberating fast, both material and spiritual. This is the
profound meaning that fasting takes during the Great Lent. Let us allow ourselves to take advantage of the spiritual
riches of the Church. Let us use the precious messianic gifts offered to us through its sacramental life, through its
celebrations of the central mysteries of our salvation in Christ. Let us use the spiritual weapons “to fight the good fight,
to walk the way of fasting, to crush the heads of the invisible dragons, to prove ourselves victorious over sin, and
without condemnation to reach our goal of worshipping the Holy Resurrection” (Prayer of the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy).
This is the challenge of the Great Lent: to use fasting to obtain the resurrected life, to unite with the Risen Lord.
WHO COULD REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE?
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.
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.
MEMORIALS: Memorial service is offered today for the repose of the soul of Peter Nikas (1 year). Anna Kane (2
years), and George Patsiokostas (3 years). May their memory be eternal! Αιωνία η Mνήμη!
PHILOPTOCHOS . . . is searching for . . .
Fellowship Coffee Hour Sponsors!
Thank you to all who have sponsored a fellowship coffee hour in the past! For those who are interested, please consider
signing up to host one. Refreshments do not need to be fancy or expensive. Please contact the church office at
617.924.8182 to sign up. Thank you!
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC: Fridays from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
SUNDAY WEEKLY BULLETIN:
www.goarchangels.org.
Every week, the Sunday Weekly Bulletin is posted on our website at
LENTEN FOOD DRIVE: Sunday School is accepting donations of non-perishable food items that will be donated to
needy families from our Church as well as the Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Allston to fill their food
pantry shelves. Thank you for your help and God bless you!
HELLENIC COLLEGE HOLY CROSS GOLF TOURNAMENT: Support HCHC’s vital mission of educating future leaders
for service in the Church and society by participating in the 24th Annual Nicholas J. Bouras Memorial Golf Classic on
Monday, July 18, 2016 at the beautiful Kernwood Country Club course in Salem, MA. Please visit www.hchc.edu for
more information.
Holy Week and Pascha Decorations
Sunday, April 24—Sunday, May 1, 2016
PALM SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
Palms and decorations—$500
Icon (Palm Sunday) floral arrangement—$100
PALM SUNDAY EVENING TO HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING
Iconostasis gates decorations—$200
Nymphios (Bridegroom) Icon floral arrangement—$100
Altar table decorations—$100
HOLY THURSDAY
Wreath for Cross (Estavromenos)—$175
Icon (Crucifixion) floral arrangement—$100
Two additional wreaths—$100 each
HOLY FRIDAY
Epitaphio flowers—$800
Kouvouklion dome decorations—$300
Iconostasis gates decorations—$200
Icon (Extreme Humility) floral arrangement—$100
HOLY SATURDAY/PASCHA
Iconostasis gates decorations—$300
Bay Leaves and Rose Petals—$100
Resurrection Banner—$100
Icon (Resurrection) floral arrangement—$100
Altar Table decorations—$100
Icon in Narthex (Resurrection) floral arrangement—$100
Paschal Candle—$50
Easter Lily—$30 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: _________________