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Assumption Church
Publish Date: 2020-02-09
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Weekly Bulletin
Publphar
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Assumption Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (203) 748-2992
  • Fax:
  • (203) 748-7747
  • Street Address:

  • 30 Clapboard Ridge Road

  • Danbury, CT 06811

Contact Information

Proistamenos Father Nikolas Karloutsos


frnikolas@agoc.us

Services Schedule

Services Schedule:
Orthros at 8:45 am - Sundays
Divine Liturgy at 10am - Sundays
 
Weekday Divine Liturgies without Orthros begin with the Doxology at 9:50 am
 
Summer Services Schedule (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend):
Orthros at 8:30 am - Sundays
Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am - Sundays
 
Summer weekday Divine Liturgies without Orthros begin with the Doxology at 9:20 am

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 09

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

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Weekly Bulletin

Agape Coffee Fellowship: Today’s Coffee Fellowship is being offered by the Ladies Philoptochos for Go Red Sunday and in loving memory of Father Nicholas Lassios. Thank you to our volunteer hostesses.

Memorial: Today's memorial is prayed for the soul of the beloved husband of Presbytera Fay, Rev. Father Nicholas G. Lassios, the Priest, who was our brother and concelebrant (Ιερέως, αδελφού και συλλειτουργού ημών γενομένου) departed this life twenty (20) years ago on February 3, 2000.   Fr. Nick (as he was affectionately known) was ordained to the priesthood in January 1981 at Assumption Church and served as assistant pastor here for several years while still employed as an engineer.  He formed the Holy Cross Prison Ministry and was actively visiting sixteen (16) different facilities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. "May the Lord our God who called him to be His priest and liturgist in His church on earth, give rest to His beloved servant and priest Nicholas, and give him the worthiness now to become a liturgist in our Lord's heavenly altar." Αιώνια η μνήμη! 

Church Life: On Saturday, February 8, Aria, daughter of Ashley and Tony Fernandes of Brookfield, CT, was initiated into the Orthodox Christian faith through Holy Baptism. Her sponsor is George Fernandes of Weston, CT. Long Life & Health for the Newly Illumined - Να Μας Ζήσει η Νεοφώτιστη!

Triodion Begins Today: The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the first Sunday of a three-week period prior to the commencement of Great Lent. It marks the beginning of a time of preparation for the spiritual journey of Lent, a time for Orthodox Christians to draw closer to God through worship, prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. It is also on this day that the Triodion is introduced, a liturgical book that contains the services from this Sunday, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), to Great and Holy Saturday.

Calendar at a Glance

  • Feb 13 (Th) - Festival Kick-Off Meeting @7:30PM
  • Feb 15 (Sa) - Apokreatiko Glendi - Mardi Gras Dance @6:00PM
  • Feb 20 (Th) - Parish Council Meeting @7:30PM
  • Feb 21 (F) - Family Game Night from 6PM-10PM (see details below)
  • Feb 22 (Sa) - Saturday of Souls - Doxology & Divine Liturgy (@9:50a)
  • Feb 23 (Su) - GOYA Service Project – GOYA members will be serving a meal at the Dorothy Day House in Danbury (2-6pm)
  • Feb 23 (Su) - H.O.P.E. Winter Get Together - Sledding @ Richter Golf Course @2:30pm (weather permitting)
  • Mar 1 (Su) - Forgiveness Sunday & Stewardship Committee's "Pledges for Wedges" during Coffee Hour
  • Mar 1 (Su) - GOYA Lenten Retreat @ Holy Trinity Bridgeport @2:00PM
  • Mar 2 (M) - Great Lent Begins - Compline & Forgiveness Service @6:00PM 

Camp Saint Paul Summer Camp 2020 Registration is OPEN and Ongoing!

The dates for CSP Summer 2020 are as follows:

  • Session 1 - June 28 - July 4         
  • Session 2 - July 5- July 11
  • Session 3 - July 12 - July 18
  • Session 4 - July 19 - July 25
  • Session 5 - July 26 - August 1 

Fr. Nikolas will be serving during Session 1.  Please visit www.campsaintpaul.org to register.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at campstpaul@goarch.org. 

Please keep us, and our Camp, in your prayers as we prepare for Summer Camp 2020!

Respectfully,

Camp Saint Paul

DAD Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministries

Friday February 21 Family/community game night!From the purest of souls to the wisest of the ages. Please come and join us for a night filled with laughter, sharing experiences and connecting with each other the old fashion way. Over 40 Board games, perhaps a little karaoke and you won’t leave on a empty stomach. February 21st 6 to 10pm. Rides will be provided for those who need one to a certain number. RSVP to 914-403-7825 call or text by February 19th. Please don’t be afraid to just show up if you decide last min. P.S. bring your games if you want. 

Assumption Church 2020 Stewardship Ministry Pledge Cards NOW AVAILABLE!

With the 2020 Calendar year upon us, we are truly thankful for you and your family here in our Church.  Pledge Cards are available at the Candle Stand/Pangari and have been mailed with 2019 Year End Statements.  Please fill out a Pledge Card for the 2020 year to ensure the ongoing success of the programs and ministries undertaken for the spiritual needs of the families entrusted to our care.  You are a vital part of our Church Community and together as one Family and with God's help, we can continue to preach and teach the Good News of Peace and Love, with fervor of the faith, in thanksgiving and continuing commitment to serving Christ and His Church.

*NEW* 2020 Ecclesiastical Calendars:  Our Parish's 2020 Ecclesiastical Calendars have arrived and are available for pick up in the vestibule/exo-narthex of the Church and upon request made to a Parish Council member or to the Church Office.  The Calendar features full-color icons, the names of Saints in Greek and English, a fasting guide, and daily Scripture readings and commemorations following the liturgical protocol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  Most importantly, the Calendar is a gift to you made possible not by an individual sponsor but rather, through the Christian Love and voluntary contributions made by Stewards of our parish, with their compliments and best wishes for a healthy, peaceful and blessed New Year of our Lord 2020.

Ladies Philoptochos Society News:  Today our Ladies Philoptochos will pass their monthly tray.  This month’s National obligations are Saint Photios Shrine, Saint Augustine, Florida and Autism Awareness. Thank you for your continued generous support.

Our 2020 Stewardship/Membership drive continues for the Ladies Philoptochos – Visit our Philoptochos table in the Church hall and learn about the exciting things our chapter and this wonderful organization is doing locally, regionally and nationally.    Please consider gifting a membership for a loved one or daughter 18 years or older. Your stewardship helps in so many ways. Our Philoptochos chapter is one of over 400 chapters and we are the 2nd largest ladies’ philanthropic groups.  We thank our stewards, who do what they can in time, talent or treasure. Our chapter will host events throughout the year, so if you are free please join us.

This Sunday our Ladies Philoptochos is recognizing "Go Red For Women and Heart Disease" - Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness and help prevent heart disease, the number one killer of American women. This is a call for women, by women, to take charge of their well-being and live stronger, healthier lives.  We will serve healthy treats in addition to the bagels.

Apokriatiko Glendi - Mardi Gras Dance:  Join us Saturday, February 15, 2020.  Limited seating, paid RSVP only.  Tickets on sale now in our church hall. $50 adults paid by 2/2 $55 after (Checks made out to AGOC) $25 for 21 & under.  Raffle - Live Band. Please join us for a fun evening.  Appetizers/Catered Buffet/Desserts BYOB

The Sacrament of Repentance and Confession is available by appointment during Great Lent and before and after a variety of our daily and weekend services. See Fanari Newsletter and Sunday Bulletins for times of Services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Lent and avail yourself of this most sacred, underutilized and purifying Sacrament/Mysterion.

Creation Care: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

    - Vincent Van Gogh

    - Post-impressionist painter, 1853-1890

Interested in becoming more involved in being stewards of God’s earth? For more information, email creationcare@agoc.us. 

Holy Communion:  Please follow the directions of the Parish Council, allowing our Sunday School students and teachers to enter the center aisle first, so that they may begin classes promptly with the limited time that we have.  Adults who are baptized or chrismated in the Orthodox faith & waiting to prayerfully receive the Sacrament, please take this opportunity to read the prayers before Holy Communion if you have prepared to receive Holy Eucharist.  All are invited to receive the blessed bread (antidoron) after Liturgy concludes, regardless of faith tradition.

Before You Reserve Your Wedding or Child's Baptism Day:  The Holy Church has a sacred obligation to uphold and abide by the spiritual guidelines which have been formulated over the ages, some of which dictate that on some dates of the year, certain sacraments are prohibited.  Moreover, it is always best practice to confirm availability of the Church and Parish Clergy prior to making any plans for a reception venue. In order to avoid such confusion and conflict, before you reserve a reception hall, kindly check with Fr. Nikolas to confirm that the day you have chosen is indeed a day when sacraments are permitted AND that Parish Clergy & the Church are available.

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