We meet for divine worship every Sunday morning starting with Orthros (Matins) 8:30, Divine Liturgy 9:30-11AM, followed by a fellowship hour in our community center. All are invited!
Please see Community Calendar for a complete listing of all weekday feast-days and worship services.
This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.
Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of grace. Therefore, let us join him, and cry aloud to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Cήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ σὺν αὐτῷ τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν· Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20.
Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
Sunday after Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.
On this Sunday, September 15th, Sunday after the holy cross, the children will be joining Father John for the procession. Following this, they will have the opportunity to gather around the cross with Father for an up-close lesson. This is a great opportunity for the children to learn about the exaltation of the holy cross and to participate in the liturgy for a better understanding of our faith.
Please have your children report to Sunday school following communion as usual. Little Apostles class is scheduled as usual.
If you haven't done so yet, please register here: 2019-2020 Youth Ministries Registration Form
Many blessing for a wonderful year,
Sunday School Directors Tina Hadgimallis & Stella Fisfis
The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' annual Bid n Buy "Havana Nights" will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 6:30 PM. It will be held again this year at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA. The donation includes dinner $27.00 in advance, $32.00 at the door.
Please contact Ticket Chair Stella Nikolopoulos at 215-850-4066 or email stellaniko811@gmail.com to purchase your ticket. Tickets are also easy to purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-philoptochos-nausica-bid-n-buy-tickets-68232038865
We hope everyone had an enjoyable summer taking in the sunshine, traveling, or just making memories with family and friends. The fall season is quickly approaching, and Matthew 25 is excited to once again begin our collection of non-perishable food items. Remember to place non- perishables in the marked bins in the hallway, across from the classrooms.
We have a delivery scheduled on September 25th, to Seeds of Hope in Dresher. We have a meeting scheduled on the 25th, feel free to come and join our team. There are exciting additions coming to M25 this year.
There is no collection too big or too small for us! We are always grateful for what we receive. Just a reminder that we collect non-perishable food, frozen vegetables, and personal hygiene supplies. Please help us increase our donations this year. We will continue to purchase eggs to donate each month along with our church’s donations. The needs of the pantry continue to increase and our message often sounds redundant. We really need your help! We will be posting a sign-up genius in the coming days to assist with specific donations.
Thank You!
Fresh basil bunches for the feast of Holy Cross on Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15.
Our courtyard and church front are in need of some light weeding and trimming. Tools and gloves are available here. Anytime this or next week; just let us know you are coming.
Please feel free to bring and plant any fall flowers of your choice! (Chrysanthemums, Pansies, Celosias, Violas, etc.).
Thank you in advance!
Delivered on Thursday, September 5, 2019
Started Sunday, September 8, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Livestreamed via Facebook
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Thursday, October 17, 2019
October 18-20, 2019
Celebrations, Milestones, Gratitude, Comfort & Support
Pastoral care: If you or someone you know is sick, homebound elderly, or scheduled for surgery, please call the church office to let us know so Fr. John can make a pastoral visit, or to add someone to the prayer list.
Let us pray to the Lord for health and salvation: Suffering and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian world,
Athena, Stephen, Tom, Sandra, Susan, George, Betty, Antonios, Anthony, Debora, Despina, Nikolaos, George, Yiannis, Eugene.
Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed. Fr. John will include the submitted names at the Psokomide “Offering of Gifts” during the first part of the liturgy when he prepares the mystical gifts of bread & wine. Please lift these names up to the Lord in your personal prayer life as well.
Prayer for healing: Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent our Lord to heal every sickness. Visit and heal us. Grant patience in this sickness, the strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal, guide and protect your servant (s) (pray by name for those who are sick) and grant them the gift of complete health. You are the source of healing and to You we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Happy Anniversary! To those celebrating this week: Ilisco, Angela & Salvatore; Mitsas, Stefanos & Claudia; Exarchos, Yiannis & Rachel Colle; Grigorakakis, Costas & Maria; Pogas, Andrew & Georgianne; Sideris, Andreas & Maria; McClintock, Charles & Elizabeth.
Χρόνια πολλα! Happy birthday! God grant you many years! To those celebrating this week: Alba Couppas, Irene Halkias, Anna Marie Loizos,Barbara Louridas, Christopher Matarangas, Marigo Psaroudis, Stavros Angelucci, Efthimia Bastas-Christie, Michael Bouikidis, Maria Holahan, Ana Kiscaden, Joseph Kiscaden, Penelope Kyriakatos, Penelope Mashas, Antonios Pitsakis, Raley Christodoulou, Christina Fournaris, Martin King, Aiden LePage, Christina Maltezos, Elena Markos, David McCulloch, Maria McNally, Kathryn Galbraith, Alexis Lehmann, Michael-Mason Sjostedt, Hanna Apostolidis, Andrea Cosmas, Simeon Mackrides, Evangelos Mariani, Luka Marino, Leonidas Pashos, Alex Potter, Despina Raggousis, Georgette White, Susan Gouris, Nikolaos Twyman, John Zevitas.
Facilities Master Plan
Hello everyone, in the Spring of 2019 we embarked on developing a Facilities Master Plan that would incorporate the key priorities we had identified for the facilities:
In June we held a design workshop attended by over 30 parishioners where we reviewed and refined 3 design concepts. Over the summer the architects took the input and refined the ideas down to 2 concepts and developed cost estimates for both. They also identified how the work could be executed in phases and are completing their Master Plan Report.
During September we will review the concepts and cost estimates with the Community in both a separate meeting that will allow a detailed review and will make the information available in the Social Hall on multiple Sundays.
Thank you for your support and patience while we developed this exciting next step in Building the Future of our Church and Community.
Dean Dalson,
50th Anniversary Chairperson
I am writing as Archbishop to bring to your attention an important matter that is and must be an urgent concern for all of us who work with children in every aspect of the Archdiocese, in every Metropolis and in every parish and youth ministry. This letter is to call each of us to action, and to encourage us as our clergy, our lay leaders and our fellow parishioners to mobilize to serve our children and youth.
The implementation and enforcement of the Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth take another step forward towards the goal of ensuring that every ministry and event is physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe and healthy for the children of all Greek Orthodox Churches in America.