Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Saints and Feasts

March 15

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Weekly Bulletin

Agape Coffee Fellowship: Coffee Fellowship has been temporarily suspended until further notice.

Memorial: Today's memorials are prayed for the souls of the servants of God Nicholas Karloutsos (40 days), Fr. Michael Karloutsos (17 years), Presbytera Olga Karloutsos (65 years), Stavroula "Yiayia" Karloutsos 47 (years); and Emmanuel (Manny) Speros (2 years), beloved father of Cynthia Speros and grandfather to Christian. Αιώνια η μνήμη!

Some Notes re: Coronavrus

If you answer "YES" to any one of the following questions, please err on the side of caution and do not attend services:

Have you traveled to a foreign country within the last 14 days?
Have you been in a health care facility where Coronavirus was documented?
Have you been in contact with someone diagnosed with the Coronavirus in the last 14 days?
Do you feel feverish?
Do you have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
Do you have a cough?

Next, effective immediately, ALL non-Liturgical ministries of the Church are also suspended until further notice. What does that mean in specifics?

Sunday Catechism School is cancelled
Youth Choir will not be rehearsing or singing together at the Liturgy
Greek School is cancelled
Ministry and group meetings are to be conducted virtually whenever possible
Food preparation and baking (Greek Festival or Pascha-related) are postponed

Additional directives being followed by our community in dealing with Covid-19 (Coronavirus), until further notice, based on the instructions of the US Center for Disease Control (CDC)

You will notice hand washing stations in the vestibule/exonarthex. The Faithful are required to wash or disinfect their hands prior to entering the Church and are encouraged to read the prayer of hand washing as they do so.
Signs are posted at the outside entrances recommending sick persons not attend the Services, but participate via television or the Internet
The clergy will not offer their hands to be reverenced and will refrain from touching the faithful either through handshakes or an embrace.
Signs are posted recommending that honor be shown to Icons and the blessing cross by only bowing.
No books – Liturgical or Scriptural, will be kept in the pews. Parishioners are encouraged to bring their own books from home or utilize the "Ages Digital Chant Stand" links for downloading worship services.
The Faithful will receive the Antidoron from the Clergy which will have been cut by one person wearing protective gloves. Please open hands fully so that it may be safely placed into your hand without touching hands in any way.
The Eucharist will be distributed as per usual.
- In concelebrations, the clerical “Kiss of Peace” will be through bowing to one another. The laity exchange of the “Kiss of Peace” will be temporarily suspended.
- After every service, all liturgical objects and surfaces to be thoroughly cleaned.

These directives come from, in part: https://www.goarch.org/-/2020-03-06-covid-19-news-release and https://www.goarch.org/-/directives-covid-19

From His Eminence's March 6 Encyclical: "...Therefore, we counsel those feeling unwell physically to refrain from liturgical assemblies until they are certain of their diagnosis. Taking the basic steps of wellness as recommended by the health authorities is not only sensible, but wise and considerate of others. In truth, it is an act of love. Clergy and Laity alike should employ best practices like thorough and meticulous hand-washing and frequent cleaning of the liturgical space and objects (e.g., hand cross, icons, etc.). Those belonging to vulnerable groups (the at-risk elderly, those with suppressed auto-immune systems, and those who suffer from chronic illnesses) should protect themselves by refraining from attending church services during the crisis. Also, everyone traveling internationally, please refrain from coming to church services for a period of fourteen days (the timeframe of incubation)...In addition, no one should be criticized for making the choice to refrain for a time from their participation in the traditional liturgical practices of our Holy Church. These measures do not change the traditions of the Church but are rather temporary precautions during this time of crisis...."

Finally, three important reminders:

Do not panic
Get your information from reliable sources
Wash your hands

Seriously, please wash your hands. More than you think possible. And as much as we would love to see you at services, if you're not feeling well, please stay home! And always consult your physician or other healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.

Calendar at a Glance

Mar 16 (M) - Compline @6:00PM
Mar 18 (W) - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @6:00PM
Mar 19 (Th) - Parish Council Meeting @7:30PM (via teleconference)
Mar 20 (F) - Salutations to the Theotokos @6:00PM

Ladies Philoptochos Society News: Our 2020 Stewardship/Membership drive continues for the Ladies Philoptochos. Stewardship forms are available in the Narthex (envelopes are there). You may leave your form and check in our mail slot in the hallway towards the classrooms. Forms are also available on our Assumption website. Your stewardship helps in so many ways - with our time, talent and treasure. You do not have to do anything unless you can. Our chapter will host events throughout the year, so if you are free please join us.

The Michael Kallas Memorial Scholarship Fund in association with the Ladies Philoptochos Society is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the 2020 Michael Kallas Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is available for any graduating High School boy or girl. Applications have been emailed. The application due date is extended to Monday, March 23, 2020. Please contact Caryn Flannery, 203-512-5698, if you are having problems obtaining the required transcripts and/or recommendation letters.

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.

Holy Communion: Please follow the directions of the Parish Council in approaching the Holy Chalice. 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.

Creation Care: Have A Vegetarian Day You don’t have to give up meat for life, but try to commit to one meat free day a week. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. And each hamburger that comes from animals on ex-forestry ground is responsible for the destruction of fifty-five square feet of forest.

- 50 Ways to Help.com

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

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