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St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-03-07
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
COMMUNITY NOTES
THE ROAD AHEAD (FROM THE METROPOLIS OF PITTSBURGH)
Lastjudgement1
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St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 3307885257
  • Fax:
  • (330) 788-4802
  • Street Address:

  • 4955 Glenwood Avenue

  • Youngstown, OH 44512

Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros  8:30 am

Divine Liturgy  9:30 am

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, and those guarding it became as dead. Mary stood at your grave seeking your pure body. But you stripped the power of Hades, yet were not touched by corruption. You met the virgin and granted her life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You!

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Cross Press


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.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text


Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press


Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι· ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς καὶ θαυμαζόντων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου, καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι οὕτω γέγραπται καὶ οὕτως ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ. ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους.

᾿Εξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἕως εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτὸν αὐτοὺς διέστη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. καὶ αὐτοὶ προσκυνήσαντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης, καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. ἀμήν.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3.
Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 8:8-13, 9:1-2.

Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ· οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:31-46

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναχθήσεται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφοριεῖ αὐτοὺς ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ· δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἐξ εὐωνύμων· πορεύεσθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ οἱ κατηραμένοι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ οὐ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με, ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα ἢ διψῶντα ἢ ξένον ἢ γυμνὸν ἢ ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι; τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

He indicates the dispositions of each, calling the one kids, the other sheep, that He might indicate the unfruitfulness of the one, for no fruit will come from kids; and the great profit from the other, for indeed from sheep great is the profit, as well from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the kid is destitute.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily on Matt. XXV, 4th Century

For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God; and he who gives to the least gives to God--sacrifices spiritually to God an odour of a sweet smell.
St. Cyprian of Carthage
The Lord's Prayer, 33. B#41, p.102, 3rd century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).
St. Gregory Palamas
Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th century

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century

. . .The day will come when we shall stand before God and be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming, as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ which is our vocation, judgment must be pronounced by ourselves.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
March 07

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

Allsaint
March 07

The Holy Martyred Bishops of Cherson: Basileus, Ephraim, Eugene, Capito, Aetherius, Agathodorus, and Elpidius

These holy Bishops were sent to Cherson on the Black Sea by Hermon, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the days of Diocletian, about the year 300, to preach the Gospel. Ephraim and Basileus were sent first. Basileus raised to life the dead son of a local ruler, because of which many were baptized. Those who remained in their unbelief, however, dragged him through the streets until he died. Ephraim, refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, was beheaded. After them, Euguene, Agathodorus, Capito, and Elpitius were sent by the Bishop of Jerusalem as heralds of the Faith, but they also were slain by the ungodly. Last of all, the Bishop of Jerusalem sent Aetherius; he was drowned during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great.

Lavrentiossalamis
March 07

Lavrentios of Megara, the Righteous

Allsaint
March 07

Paul the Simple

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COMMUNITY NOTES

TRIODION

Now that we are in the period of the Triodion, we begin to center on our preparation for our Lenten period.  For four weeks, we are in a preparation time to ready us for Great Lent.  Themes of the Sunday Gospels are: Desire for God, Realization that we are far from God, Repentance, God’s judgement, and Our change of direction to walk towards Christ.  Let us joyfully accept God’s calling and plan for us and walk towards Him!  Kali Sarakosti!

 

 


MEATFARE SUNDAY

Today is Meatfare or Judgement Sunday. According to the Canons of the Church, this is the last day to eat meatbefore Pascha.  This coming week known as cheesefare week, we are allowed fish and dairy products all week includiding Wednesday and Friday.  May we all have a blessed week leading us toward Great Lent and Pascha!


SEAFOOD FEST

St. John the Forerunner is  once again having our Famous Seafood Fest on Fridays from February 19th through April 2nd.  Please plan to attend.  Because of our pandemic, this will mbe a carry out event only.  Also, your help is greatly needed.  Please contact Anthony Orologas or Andrew Rosko, our co-chairs for our Seafood Fest. Please support your Church, and please tell a friend.


SATURDAY OF SOULS

This and next Saturday, the Liturgy for Soul Saturday will be chanted at 9:30 am. There are forms on the Narthex desk for you to list you departed loved ones to be commemorated at each of the Liturgies


Saint John Seafood Fest

May be an image of text that says 'ST.JOHN'S GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 4955 GLENWOOD AVE YOUNGSTOWN, oH 44512 RIVE-THRU SEAFOOD FEST EVERY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19-APRIL 2 4 -7PM CARRY OUT ONLY ONLY ORDER WHEN YOU DRIVE UP, OR ORDER ONLINE AT www.stiohngreekfest.com'


NEW CHURCH SECRETARY/OFFICE MANAGE AND OFFICE HOURS

We now have a new secretary and office manager. We want to welcome Joanne Martin who will be manning our Church Office. Our new office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am - 2 pm. Joanne has been a long time friend to Saint John the Forerunner and has bookkeeping experience. She will be an asset to our Church family. Welcome Joanne!


SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

All teens are invited to participate in the Oratorical Festival at Saint John the Forerunner. The Archdiocesan Department of Religious Education has announced the topics for the 2021 Oratorical Festival. More information can be found at this link: goarch.org (click on Departments/Ministries and then Department of Religious Education to find the Oratorical information). Plase see Father Tom,  presvytera Vasiliki, or Theodora Cougras for detalis 

 

ARE YOUR CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN CHURCH SCHOOL?

Children are fed spiritually from our Church School lessons. In obedience to His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, we can only hold virtual classes. So, St. John is offering virtual Church School !  ✔️Please make sure your children attend. Join the ZOOM class every Sunday. Church School begins promptly at noon and ends at 12:30 PM. The theme of this year’s program is “Iconography and Hymnology –The Not – So Hidden Treasures of Our Church.”
Lessons are posted in our Google Classroom. Meeting on ZOOM is a beautiful way for our children to be with Orthodox families during the pandemic. Please contact Eugenia, evpontikos@gmail.com  OR, +presvytera Vasiliki, vasiliki.theenglishcenter@gmail.com.  Thank you !


HOME BLESSINGS

Father Tom will be finishing the blessing homes  this week.  This week he will be visiting all who were missed during the regular schedule. There is a sign–up sheet in the Narthex. This year, because of the Coronavirus, he will be blessing your homes from your front door and will give you holy water for your homes.   Please sign up or contact Father directly to have your home blessed.


CALLING ALL GRADUATES

So that we can recognize all of our graduates, either high school or higher education, please notify the office of any graduates.  We will recognize them in May.  Scholarship applications for all high school seniors who plan to attend a school of higher education are available in the church office.  Deadline for the applications is May 10, 2021.  Thank you.


PASCHA FLOWER SIGN-UP SHEET

We are now taking donations for our flowers during Lent, Holy Week and Pascha! There is a sign-up sheet on the Narthex desk for your donations. Thank you for your support to our Saint John the Forerunner Church.

YOUNGSTOWN COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER AND GLEANERS FOOD BANK

The Youngstown Community Food Center & Gleaners Food Bank are in need of volunteers to help prepare boxes of food for those in need, especially during these difficult times.  Volunteers are welcome Monday - Saturday 8 am - 11 am.  Visit their website: www.youngstowncommunityfoodcenter.org.


TO THE FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER

In the past few months when some have been limited in their ability to physically attend Church on Sundays, we want to thank especially those who have continued to offer their offerings, pledges and donations to our St John Church.  There are a couple of ways to continue contributing to the Church.  The first way is by bringing or mailing your contribution to the Church.  The other way is by donating through our website - stjohnboardman.com.  On the upper right hand corner of the home page there is a yellow "donate" tab.  You can donate through PayPal using this method.  

Lastly, we encourage everyone to reach out to our members of our Church family to let them know that they are being thought of and prayed for, and, most of all LOVED!  For those who who are still not ready to return to in-person services, they may continue to worship together in spirit by streaming on line at our facebook pgae: St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church @StJohnBoardman.  Thank you and may God bless you and our Saint John family!!

 


PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASKS

The coronavirus is real.  We must do what we can to protect ourselves from this global pandemic.  Since there is a state mandadate, and directives from our Metropolitan, we are required to wear masks during the church services.  This has been of some concern among our parishioners.  Our own Metropolitan Savas at our clergy zoom meeting emphatically emphasized that church attendees must wear masks.  Please adhear to these regulations.  Thank you.


DONATIONS CAN BE MADE ON ST JOHN WEBSITE

We are happy to announce that electronic donations are now being accepted on our stjohnboardman.com website. On the upper right hand area you will notice a donate button. You are now able to make your stewardship payments on the site via paypal. May God bless our Saint John parish.

AHEPA SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Buckeye Scholarship Foundation gladly announce that they are offering scholarships for high school and college students.  Applications are available online.  You may access the application via the following link: www.bsf.buckeyedistrict11.org. Applications and related material must be submitted no later than March 31.


2021 CHURCH CALENDARS

We have received our 2021 Church calendars and are awaiting to find homes.  You may pick yours up from the Narthex desk.  May God bless us all as we near the end of what has turned out to be a very unusual 2020 year.


PARISH COUNCIL MINISTRY AND OUTREACH

Our Saint John parish is concerned about all of our parishioners especially during this limiting pandemic. We understand that many may have needs that they may not be able to fulfil by themselves. Our Parish Council is developing a committee to try to help. If anyone has needs - i.e. grocery shopping or errands to be run, please feel to contact council representative, Debbie Kreatsoulas (home phone # 330-707-9028 or on her cell phone # 330-219-3236) and we will do our best to fulfill his or her needs. Likewise, if anyone is willing to serve on this committee, please contact Debbie. Thank you.


CORONAVIRUS - UPDATED INFORMATION

The pandemic that we are currently experincing has affected us all.  As we have progressed through the varios stages of re-opening, we have moved from limits of only five people (red phase) to twenty five (yellow phase).  In each of these two stages, no one over 65 was allowed to attend. Fortunately, as our states restrictions are being eased, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, is also opening up the parishes in our Metropolis.  Each parish has been given guidelines for the safety of our parishioners.  At Saint John the Forerunner, we are complying to the directives of our Metropolis.  Thanks to everyone's cooperation,  we are in the Green Phase.  This means we are allowed to have up to 50% of the Church capacity. (At Saint John the Forerunner, that is at least 200 people.)  Age restrictions and prior reservations have been lifted.  That means anyone who is healthy and is willing to follow the directives, guidelines and instructions are welcome to attend.  Masks are required to be worn during the services.  You are not required to register and make a reservation to attend; however, for safety reasons, we are required to have a record of everyone's name and phone number of those who attend.  These lists will be kept for 30 days. There are markings on the pews as to seating arrangements so that we may all keep our social distancing.  The ushers will help instruct us as we enter the church.  There are markings also on the floor to help with social distancing as we wait to approach the Holy Chalice.  Please continue to follow these directives so that we all may remain safe and healthy. May God bless our Saint John parish!


LITURGY BOOKS BACK IN THE PEWS

This past Thursday, His Eminence has announced that we are now allowed to place our Liturgy books back in the pews for us to use to enhance our worship.  There are new guidelines for our parishes during this pandemic.  The fliers are attached in this bulletin. 


HOSPITALIZATION

Please notify Father or the Church office of any hospitalization, nursing home admissions, or illnesses so that Father can visit and offer the Holy Sacraments to your loved ones if he is allowed.  We do not want to ever deprive anyone support and consolation during an illness. If you desire this information kept confidential, please advise us and strict confidence will be maintained. Please keep in mind that according to Federal Law, hospitals are not allowed to give our personal information such as religious affiliating.  Hospitals will notify the priest or church only if the patient requests the facility to do so.


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THE ROAD AHEAD (FROM THE METROPOLIS OF PITTSBURGH)

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