September and October Schedule of Services
Sunday, September 13th Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
John 3:13-17/Gal. 6:11-18
9:30 AM Orthros (Matins)
10:15 AM Divine Liturgy followed by the Cross Procession
Coffee Hour: Barbara Georgitsis
Sunday, September 27th First Sunday of Luke
Luke 5:1-11/II Cor. 6:1-10
9:30 AM Orthros (Matins)
10:15 AM Divine Liturgy
Coffee Hour: Jennifer Souliotis & Laura Mosconas
Sunday, October 11th Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Luke 8:5-15/Titus 3:8-15
9:30 AM Orthros (Matins)
10:15 AM Divine Liturgy
Coffee Hour: Bessie Juris & Marge Kanakis
Sunday, October 25thth Sixth Sunday of Luke
Luke 8:26-39/Gal. 1:11-19
9:30 AM Orthros (Matins)
10:15 AM Divine Liturgy
Coffee Hour: Sandra Tselepidakis
Sunday School Resumes
Sunday School classes will start up again this September. Please see Pres. Nissrine for more information.
Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross - September 14
The Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross is celebrated each year on September 14. The Feast commemorates the finding of the True Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine.
In the twentieth year of his reign (326), the Emperor Constantine sent his mother Saint Helen to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places and to find the site of the Holy Sepulchre and of the Cross. Relying upon the oral tradition of the faithful, Saint Helen found the precious Cross together with the crosses of the two thieves crucified with our Lord. However, Helen had no way of determining which was the Cross of Christ. With the healing of a dying woman who touched one of the crosses, Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem identified the True Cross of Christ. Saint Helen and her court venerated the Precious and Life-Giving Cross along with many others who came to see
this great instrument of Redemption. The Patriarch mounted the ambo (pulpit) and lifted the Cross with both hands so that all of the people gathered could see it. The crowed responded with "Lord have mercy".
This became the occasion of the institution in all of the Churches of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross, not only in memory of the event of the finding of the Cross, but also to celebrate how an instrument of shame was used to overcome death and bring salvation and eternal life.
The Feast is an opportunity outside of the observances of Holy Week to celebrate the full significance of the victory of the Cross over the powers of the world, and the triumph of the wisdom of God through the Cross over the wisdom of this world. This Feast also gives the Church an opportunity to relish the full glory of the Cross as a source of light, hope and victory for Christ's people. It is also a time to celebrate the universality of the work of redemption accomplished through the Cross: the entire universe is seen through the light of the Cross, the new Tree of Life which provides nourishment for those who have been redeemed in Christ.
Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the
Precious and Life-Giving Cross
This Feast of our Lord is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is conducted on the day of the feast and preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the feast. On the day of the Feast at the conclusion of the Matins or of the Divine Liturgy, a special service is held. The Cross is placed on a tray surrounded by branches of basil and is taken in solemn procession through the church to the chanting of the Hymn of the Feast. The tray is placed on a table, and the priest takes the Cross and offers petitions from each side of the table, the four directions of the compass. This represents the universal nature of the offering of Christ upon the Cross. As the people respond by chanting "Lord have mercy", the priest raises and lowers the cross, a commemoration of its finding and exaltation. At the conclusion of the service, the people come and venerate the cross and receive the basil from the priest. The basil is used and offered, as it was the fragrant flower growing where
the Cross was found.
Scripture readings for the Feast of the Cross are the following: At Vespers: Exodus 15:22-16:1 ; Proverbs 3:11-18 ; Isaiah 60:11-16 . At the Orthros (Matins): John 12:28-36 . At the Divine Liturgy: I Corinthians 1:18-24 ; John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35 .
Hymns of the Feast
Apolytikion (First Tone)
Save, O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; grant victory to the faithful over their adversaries. And protect Your commonwealth, by the power of Your Cross.
Kontakion (Fourth Tone)
You who were lifted upon the Cross of Your own will, O Christ our God, bestow Your compassions upon the commonwealth that bears Your Name. By Your power, gladden our faithful rulers, giving them victory over their adversaries. May your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
Contacting Fr. Anastasios
If you need to speak to Father Anastasios for any matter or to discuss any situation
or for confession, please call him @ 508-753-1101 or email to schedule a time on Saturdays.
Thank You!
The parishioners of St. Vasilios would like to express their thanks to Al and Bessie Juris for the donation of palms and laurel leaves for Palm Sunday during Holy Week. Your generosity is appreciated.
Prayer for Healing
Lord Jesus Christ, My God, Master of my life, Physician and Healer of my soul and body, capable of healing all illness and infirmity; You who alone desires that all peoples be saved and come to the knowledge of truth; You ho does not wish the death of a sinner, but rather welcomes the return of the prodigal.
To You I come and beseech You; hear my prayer O Lord. Listen to my petitions. Accept my supplications as offerings of incense. If it be Your will visit me your servant, and if I have sinned against You in word or thought or deed, forgive me. In Your mercy overlook my shortcomings.
You alone are sinless and Your word is truth.
Forgive me my sins. Heal my infirmities. Restore my health that I may everlastingly offer You my thanksgivings for your Namesake, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Please use this prayer list to pray for members of our community who are sick or in need of God’s care.
Bessie Papageorge
John Coronis
Lillian Gokas
Evelyn Saggiotes
If you feel a name should remain on the list, or if you would like a new name placed on the list, please contact Fr. Anastasios.
Metropolis of Boston Stewardship Training Seminar
On Friday, October 2, 2009 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM there will be a seminar at the Cathedral Center in Brookline, MA. This day long seminar is designed specifically in the area of stewardship and will have training sessions on many levels. The sharing of ideas and best stewardship practices from various communities will be of prime importance during this seminar. If you are interested in attending this seminar please speak with Fr. Anastasios.
Metropolis of Boston Clergy-Laity Conference
On Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM there will be a conference at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, MA. Workshops and training sessions will assist community leaders in all areas of parish ministry. For more information please see the flyer that is posted on the bulletin board in the Church Hall. If you are interested in attending please speak with
Fr. Anastasios.
Stewardship Update
Have you made your pledge for 2009? There is still time to make a pledge by sending in your commitment form. We look forward to adding your name to our growing list of stewards in support of St. Vasilios. Commitment forms are available in the Narthex of the Church. As of September 1, 2009 the total stewardship commitment collected from parishioners is $10,580.00. There are 43 families that have pledged their stewardship at an average rate per family of $246.28.
“A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever.” (St. John Chrysostom)
Listed below are parishioners who have made a pledge as of September 1, 2009.
Thank you for your commitment to St. Vasilios Church.
Linda Kelly Brown Gus & Barbara Tampasis Fotios Tampasis
Nickos Tampasis Demoulas Foundation Jackie Miller
Dolly Gokas Van Gokas Lee Lantas
Arnold Johnson George, Efrosini & Vaya Makris Konstadinos & Marcy Makris
Travis & Laura Mosconas-Hodgdon Kostas & Sofia Katsanos Fr. Anastasios & Presb. Nissrine
Athanasios & Sarah Katsanos Angelo & Stella Nestor Frank & Stacy Souliotis
Solon & Marge Kanakis George & Jennifer Souliotis Al & Bessie Juris
George Souliotis Aristotel Souliotis John and Anna Souliotis
John and Katie Gioldassis Dino Vlahakis Spiro Gokas
Andrew Manghis Evangelia Davis Dr. Charles Saggiotes
Evelyn Saggiotes Alex & Lorraine Miller Phidias & Alice Dantos
Kostantinos & Zoi Dimakis Smaragda Dimakis Dimitri Dimakis
George & Aliki Souliotis Dimitri & Sandra Tselepidakis Vasilios & Barbara Georgitsis
Dimitrios & Lina Nikas Nicholas & Helen Stamos Kosta & Aleka Nastos
Tassos Nastos George & Effie Panagakis John & Mary Rassias
Lillian Gokas Charles Gokas Nick & Chrysoula Kontoes
Sacraments
Due to the expenses that the Church is incurring during Sacraments (weddings, baptisms, etc.) the Parish Council has set up s fee of $500 for non-members and $300 for members. If the person requiring the sacrament is living a financial hardship, please speak with Fr. Anastasios or a member of the Parish Council. Please note that sacraments will be scheduled only during the weekends when we have Liturgy and a three month notification is necessary. May the Lord bless you all.
Check out these websites!
Fr. Anastasios has suggested that all parishioners who have access to the internet to please surf the following sites:
www.games.goarch.org
www.family.goarch.org
Sound System Update
Father Anastasios, in cooperation with the Parish Council, has launched a “St. Vasilios Special Projects Fund” which consists of raising funds separately from regular donations in order to perform special projects to enhance the spiritual life of the Parish. At this time, our initial project, a sound system, has been installed and is currently in use. As of September 1st we have made our second payment of $839.00 and have a balance of $589.03 remaining. We hope to raise that amount by November. We will continue to collect a second tray during the first service of each month until we raise the balance for this project. Parishioners who would like to support this project may also send in their checks, but be sure to reference in the memo line: sound system. Your generosity is very much appreciated. We thank all the donors for this project. May the Lord reward you all. Amen.
2009 Candle/Tray Collections
For your information, as part of our 2009 bulletins, the Board would like all of our Parishioners to be informed of the monthly collections for candles and trays. For the month of July 2009 there was $94.50 collected for candles and $119.00 collected for trays. In August 2009 there was $186.00 collected for candles and $182.00 collected for trays.
Prayer during the Day
Taken from My Orthodox Prayer Book
Christ, my Lord, You came among Your disciples after the resurrection and granted them peace.
You also poured upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
Bestow upon me at this hour Your grace and make me worthy to enter Your presence.
Teach me how to pray.
Show me the path on which I should walk.
Guide my life in all things that I may not be deceived by worldly pursuits, but rather seek the treasures in heaven.
Lord, let your Holy Spirit lead me in the way of Your teachings and in the remembrance of Your glorious coming kingdom.
Blessed and praised is Your name among Your Saints, now and forever.
Amen.