Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When you descended to the realm of death You as life immortal rendered to Hades a mortal blow by Your all radiant divinity. And when You from infernal depths and the darkness below did raise the dead. All the hosts of heaven's powers did proclaim and cry out, O life giving Christ and our God we give glory.

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 Relics of John Chrysostom in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Grace shining forth from thy mouth like a beacon hath illumined the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of uncovetousness, and shown us the heights of humility; but while instructing us by thy words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede with the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.

Ἡ τοῦ στόματός σου καθάπερ πυρσὸς ἐκλάμψασα χάρις, τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐφώτισεν, ἀφιλαργυρίας τῶ κόσμω θησαυροὺς ἐναπέθετο, τὸ ὕψος ἡμῖν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης ὑπέδειξεν. Ἀλλὰ σοὶς λόγοις παιδεύων, Πάτερ, Ἰωάννη Χρυσόστομε, πρέσβευε τῶ Λόγῳ Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.

Saints and Feasts

January 30

Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom

This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).

February 02

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 48.3,1.
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding.
Verse: Hear this all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2.

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 48.3,1.
Τὸ στόμα μου λαλήσει σοφίαν καὶ ἡ μελέτη τῆς καρδίας μου σύνεσιν.
Στίχ. Ἀκούσατε ταῦτα, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 7:26-28, 8:1-2.

Ἀδελφοί, τοιοῦτος γὰρ ἡμῖν ἔπρεπεν ἀρχιερεύς, ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος· ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καθʼ ἡμέραν ἀνάγκην, ὥσπερ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτιῶν θυσίας ἀναφέρειν, ἔπειτα τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ· τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἐφάπαξ, ἑαυτὸν ἀνενέγκας. Ὁ νόμος γὰρ ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς, ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν· ὁ λόγος δὲ τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον, υἱὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετελειωμένον. Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις· τοιοῦτον ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα, ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, τῶν ἁγίων λειτουργός, καὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς, ἣν ἔπηξεν ὁ κύριος, καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος·

Gospel Reading

15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."

15th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 19:1-10

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο τὴν ῾Ιεριχώ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον· ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς ᾿Αβραάμ ἐστιν. ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός.

Parish News and Events

Please pray for our brothers and sisters: Gloria, Niko, Elias, Christina, Christina, Malina, John, Louise, Pete, Vincent, Rose, Veronica, John Peter, Norma, Angela, Athena, John, Lynne, Deborah, Georgia, Ivana, Mary, John, Nancy, Jane, Michael, Kostas.

2019 Parish Council members on duty are Maria Connor and John Housianitis

Presentation of the Lord in the Temple celebrated this Saturday with Divine Liturgy at 9:30am.

Souper Sunday - next Sunday, Feb. 3rd. See insert!

Feb. 22-24 Family Ski Trip We are partnering again with St. Vasilios for a week-end ski trip. This year we use a family model, with at least one adult per family. Please consult the flier in detail and note the Jan. 31 $50 early bird discount. Refunds available till Feb. 15, which is the final deadline. Prices listed include rentals - lift ticket only prices under additional information. Please let Fr. Costin know ASAP if you are interested, and send in your application and check to St. Vasilios, as instructed.

GOYA Save the Date! Meatfare Sunday, March 3rd- Spaghetti and Meatball dinner. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Includes salad, hot rolls, dinner and dessert. Please purchase your tickets in advance so that we can plan for food. Reservations accepted. Please see a GOYA member to reserve your tickets.

Saint Basil's is experiencing a shortage of volunteers supporting our Monday meals ministry. Please join our dedicated crew regularly or occasionally. Come around 9:00 am and meal service is completed around noon. Phone Cathy Chadwick 978.884.2149 for ways you can assist. Thank you! Our services provide basic necessities to those in need of home-cooked meals, companionship, and visiting our food pantry. We warmly welcome all who come through our doors.

Prosforo Schedule - January 27th - Andrea Jones
February 3rd - Melinda Patrick
February 10th - Tina Klidaras
February 17th - Lisa Housianitis
February 24th - Kathy Tsiantas

100th Anniversary celebrations have concluded. Thank you for your leadership and participation in our December 2017 through December 2018 events.
All of you, phone photographers be sure to get your photos to Melinda Patrick who has assumed the monumental task of compiling the BIG BOOK to commemorate our History and this year of celebrations. A meeting will be scheduled by Melinda to review information and images for the Commemorative Book. Please contact Melinda at melrosepat1954@gmail.com to participate and assist.

Showcase your Cooking Skills in one or more of scheduled upcoming events. The first weekend of February is Soup-er Bowl Sunday. This annual friendly competition is lots of fun and delicious! For the second weekend of February, the St Basil's Winter Tea table sponsors are being solicited. You and your family or friends have the opportunity to sponsor a table for this year's tea to benefit St Basil's Kitchen. Please fill in the entry form attached to this bulletin or speak with Susan George. For information about the St Basil’s Winter Tea communicate with Andrea Jones.

We are also looking at offering a Spring International Cooking Class through NACE. We would offer entrees over 4 weeks including favorite Romanian, Armenian, Russian and of course Greek entrees and pair these with a wine choice. Please contact Andrea to participate as a Guest Chef.

Fellowship Hour Coordination A volunteer opportunity exists to assume responsibility for Fellowship Hour Coordination. Andrea Jones is starting her fifth year at this task, and will partner with a replacement for the next few months. Step up and get to know everyone in the community better! Please email andreajones1@comcast.net with your interest.

Parish Events of the Week

Sunday, January 27th
9:00 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

Monday, January 28th
11:00 am - St Basil's Lunch
6:00 pm - Chant
7:00 pm - Choir rehearsal

Saturday, February 2nd
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy, Presentation of the Lord

Sunday, February 3rd
9:00 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

After Divine Liturgy - Soup-er Bowl Tasting

Fellowship Hour Hosts

We had our first the taste testing with a little Moussaka at the “2019 GFF kickoff” Fellowship Hour Sunday January 13^th. Suggestions to improve the dish were – a bit less char on the vegetables, maybe a touch more salt and less eggs in the Bechamel. Thank you to everyone who tasted and keep an eye out for further tast testings!

This Sunday January 27th we are sampling a commonly followed practice in other Parishes. We will offer limited store-bought refreshments and coffee only and have removed several tables so as to encourage conversation between circulating parishioners. This is but one model of many followed by other Orthodox Churches for this gathering time after Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Discussion is taking place about several alternatives to our current practice of offering the opportunity to you to provide the refreshments of any type, as simple as Market Basket sandwich cookies (read that Oreo cookies if you like a brand name) to as complex as your Yia Yia's favorite assortment of baked goods. There are no guidelines of expectations - refreshments offered with love can be anything.

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