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Assumption Church
Publish Date: 2020-07-26
Bulletin Contents
27_pante
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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




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 8:15 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. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5.

Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.


Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35

At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.


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Saints and Feasts

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July 27

Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer

This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.


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Memorial

Today's memorial is prayed for the soul of the servants of God Constantinos "Gus" Psaras (40 days), father of Maria Ortiz. Αιώνια η μνήμη!

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Sacraments & Services

Delaney Kahlan, daughter of Steven and Shannon Rountos of Brookfield, CT was initiated into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism on July 18.  Godparents/sponsors are Maria Kallianiotis and Zoey Kallianiotis.

Magdalena Ann, daughter of Kyle and Maria Rodgers of Alexandria, VA and cousin to Delaney, was initiated into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism on July 18.  Godparents/sponsors are Christopher and Angela Rountos.

On Sunday, Benjamin Louis, son of John and Amanda Koukos of Danbury, CT will be initiated into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism.  His sponsor is Presbytera Meghan.

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Funeral

Nicholas L. Raptis, father of George Raptis, was laid to rest on July 23. Αιώνια η μνήμη!
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Church is Open

Greetings and Welcome Home!  We hope and pray that you continue to feel safe and secure as you worship with us in person.  And we continue to be grateful to our faithful parishioners who find ways to pray the liturgy with us from the safety of their homes.  We continue to monitor and implement the most current guidelines from state authorities, health officials and from the Archdiocese and Church leadership.  If you have a positive experience worshipping with us, please tell your family and friends! And as always, use your discretion and follow the advice of your physician as you navigate the world during these difficult times.

Reservations (for lack of a better way of putting it) will be on a first come first serve basis and need to be made in one of the three following ways:
  • Online via SignUp Genius (You will receive an email every Tuesday with a link to register for the upcoming Sunday)
  • Via voice call to Zoy Beretis (203) 792-9467, or 
  • or SMS/text message to Panaiota Constantine (845) 913-6922

Those in attendance and those at home may want to access the text of the divine services by visiting Digital Chant Stand at https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html.  Just click on the date on the left side of the page and/or download the app and navigate to the appropriate service. For safety, we have removed the service books from the pews and chances are that folks at home may not have a copy of the Divine Liturgy.

As you begin to resume your "normal" weekly routines in these challenging times, we ask that you consult the guidelines listed below (subject to change) to help you prepare for what to expect during this "new abnormal" way of attending Church.

Latest Guidelines for Attending Divine Worship

ON TIME ARRIVAL

Please arrive between 8:15-9:45. Only the north entrances, near the handicapped parking, will be open. Allow extra time for social distancing protocol upon arrival. Please leave all nonessentials in your car.

MASKS REQUIRED

All attendees are required to put on protective face masks before exiting their vehicle. Exceptions are only permitted for those with valid medical reasons, special needs and children less than 2 years of age.

FOLLOW THE SIGNS

Please follow signs to posted entry points and maintain distancing via the ground markers. These have been prepared in advance to provide safe social distancing and need to be respected for everyone’s well-being.

UPON ENTRY

Be prepared for a touchless temperature reading of your forehead by an infrared thermometer and hand sanitizing. Temperature must not exceed 99.1 for admittance. Next, a member of Parish Council will hand you a candle to light. Please venerate Icons with a bow only. No touching or kissing.

SEATING

A member of Parish Council will escort you to your designated seat and record your name for our attendance recordkeeping. Seating has been designed to adhere to social distancing requirements. Only members of the same family may sit together without distancing between them. Please remain in your designated seat throughout the entire service, except for restroom needs. The restroom in the “crying room” is the only restroom open to attendees. A Parish Council member will open the room for one person at a time. Please use provided wipes to clean faucets and doorknob after use.

HOLY COMMUNION AND DISMISSAL

On Sundays, Holy Communion will not be offered at the usual appointed time. Instead, attendees are invited to receive communion at the end of the service and it will be distributed in the following manner:

  • Parish Council members will guide attendees by row, adhering to distancing markers placed in the aisle.
  • Remove mask before approaching the Holy Chalice.
  • Please do not touch the Communion cloth or dab it on your lips. It will be held by altar servers to prevent spills.
  • A separate metal spoon will be used for each communicant.
  • Do not return to your seat, but continue to the doors to exit the church.
  • Those not receiving Communion will be dismissed by Parish Council members beginning with the last row.
  • Antidoron will be individually wrapped on tables in the Narthex.
  • Continue walking to your car. No congregating inside please.

Kindly know that we are doing our best to "normalize" what is a challenging and strange time.  What remains True and Pure and Eternal throughout is Jesus Christ and our human desire to praise, glorify, thank and honor Him, the Panagia, and the Saints.  When you are tempted by the "strangeness" of how we've temporarily made provisions for the safest possible experience for our faithful, and as everyone regains a level of confidence, I encourage you to return your thoughts as quickly as possible to the "why am I here" - to remember that you are an essential part of His Body and the ranks of angels and archangels rejoice with us when we invoke His name.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Fr. Nikolas

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Stewardship Ministry

In this time of social distancing we'd like to remind our parishioners of the Church's new ability to accept online donations by CLICKING HERE  You will be taken to Assumption Church's secure payment portal through Vanco, a reputable and leading provider of electronic payment and donation processing solutions (https://www.vancopayments.com).  More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools and educational organizations trust Vanco to simplify administrative processes, organize events and securely complete transactions every day. 

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Parish News

Links for Livestreaming Services

Pray with us by subscribing to the new Assumption YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tD5mB_u3GgO1J8ikwIW0g

Or by visiting our Assumption page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/assumptiongreekorthodoxchurch/videos/?ref=page_internal

Live events will be streamed on both these services on programmed service hours.

Sights & Sounds Ministry

If these services have been a blessing to you, we’d love to hear from you!  We have invested approximately $10,000 in upgrades to our Live-streaming infrastructure in order to enhance the quality and reliability of our audio-visual (A/V) ministry that will last well beyond the Coronavirus pandemic.  This has and will continue to be an essential ministry to enable our seniors and homebound parishioners to pray with us from anywhere in the world!

Might you consider a monetary gift (small or large) toward the AGOC Sights & Sounds Ministry?  Please contact Fr. Nikolas or a member of the Parish Council to join in this effort. With your prayers and support, we can improve the quality and bring the beauty of our Orthodox Liturgical Life and the Good News of Christ Risen into the homes of so many others!

Weekday Divine Services

During the balance of the summer, we will schedule and pray a variety of weekday services, including an evening Vespers, and as always, morning Orthros & Divine Liturgies for various saints and major feasts.  Please keep an eye on our Google Calendar (https://agoc.us/services-calendar/) for the most up-to-date details and services which will also be announced via our Listserv whenever possible.  We encourage attendance at these weekday services for our seniors and others who would like to avoid the larger gatherings on Sundays.  We continue to livestream on YouTube and FaceBook Live.

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Ladies Philoptochos Society

Ladies Philoptochos Society News: 

Our Ladies Philoptochos continues our outreach to church family members to offer support and "stay in touch" even as church is opening.  As a chapter, we continue to look for ways we can help and/or donate to support others as we focus on our philanthropic mission.  There are many needs out there during this pandemic. To help us continue to offer support as well as meet our monthly National obligations, we welcome any donations in place of our monthly trays and fundraisers.   Donations may be made directly to our Philoptochos on the church website or mailed to church (see details below).   Information regarding our National obligations can be found at: http://www.philoptochos.org 

Some of our ladies have graciously offered their talents by sewing face masks as we joined the National Philoptochos "Mask On" campaign. Face masks are available for families in the parish. If you are in need of masks, please email Eleni Manolakes at eleni.manolakes@yahoo.com.  Email us (philoptochos@agoc.us) with any questions or comments.  May God bless us all and keep us safe.

Philoptochos Stewardship/Donations:

We are over 110 stewards strong. Thank you all.  If you have not already done so this year (Stewardship is from Jan. to Dec. 2020), please consider renewing your Philoptochos stewardship. You may email us (see below) if you are not sure if you completed a stewardship form. We invite all ladies 18 years and older to join. We accept online stewardship and donations as we have joined with the Church's secure payment portal through Vanco by CLICKING HERE.  BE SURE TO CHECK OFF LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS. You may also visit our website www.agoc.us – just click the "WE NOW ACCEPT ONLINE DONATIONS" or the “DONATE ONLINE” buttons on our home page.  Of course we still accept checks and cash.  Please mail to The Ladies Philoptochos, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06811.  Please be sure to include a Stewardship Form, which is available on the church site: https://agoc.us/agoc-organizations/philoptochos/ . We pick up mail about once a week.  Philoptochos provides the opportunity to offer time, talent and treasure through Christian fellowship.  NOTE: If you donate online, we may be in contact with you to confirm your personal information or confirm the intent of your donation (stewardship, general donation, etc.) or you may email us at philoptochos@agoc.us with the same information. A huge thank you for your support - we have been blessed with many thinking about stewardship and donations. You are helping us make a difference.

Link to National Ladies Philoptochos Society July Newsletter:

Philanthropy Witness- July 2020

Link to Philoptochos promo video:

Come Join Us!

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Birthday Celebrations

July 30 - Lauren Lycoudes

Your Assumption Church Community wants to celebrate with you! Please let us know of any upcoming events in your life, birthdays, name days, anniversaries so we can (virtually) share the joy! Your submissions will be announced in future weekly bulletins. Email details to: creationcare@agoc.us

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Volunteer Opportunities

The New American Dream Foundation - Danbury Seniors & Special Needs Adults Meal Delivery 

In partnership with the Amber Room, the Vice-President of the New American Dream Foundation Emanuela Palmares has personally invited up to ten (10) members of our Assumption Church community to volunteer with meal packaging and delivery to food insecure, low-income seniors and adults with special needs in the city of Danbury.  As you may recall, Assumption Church made a gift of $4,000 to the New American Dream Foundation to sponsor 800 meals on Saturday, June 13, 2020 - what would have been Saturday of our annual Festival.  City students and families received these meals to supplement what the schools provided Monday through Friday while school and distance learning was in session.

Now that schools are no longer in session, working with Age Well Community Council, the Foundation has directed attention to our other vulnerable brothers and sisters of our city to provide 500 meals to residents of Palace View, Kimberly Place, Danbury Towers, Bishop Curtis/Augustana Homes, Putnam Towers, Glen Apartments, & Crosby Manor.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Fr. Nikolas directly via email or phone.  We will gather at the Danbury City Hall Parking Lot (155 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, CT 06810) at 10:30 AM to individually bag all 500+ meals. And then teams of two to four volunteers will go to each building with their respective meals to be delivered.  Social distancing rules are STRICTLY observed at the buildings since seniors are a high-risk population. Gloves and masks are required during the bagging of the meals and delivery. Volunteers are asked to bring their own masks, and gloves will be provided.

Visit their website www.thenewamericandreamfoundation.org or FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/TNADF/ to make a donation and to learn more about the Foundation's work.

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Youth/Family Ministry

Be the Bee #129 - Saved by Faith Alone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vOazie1ZOk&t=307s

Soak Up the Son - Week Six: Birds and Fish

https://www.goarch.org/-/soak-up-the-son-week-6-birds-fish?inheritRedirect=true

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Creation Care Ministry

“The manner by which we manage our natural resources is also a form of demonstrating our love to God in response to His love toward us. It is an indispensable element of our Orthodox Christian faith and heritage.”

- His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 2006

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Archbishop Elpidophoros Meets with President Trump and Vice President Pence on Hagia Sophia

07/23/2020

oday, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros met with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at the White House on the concerns of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese over the seizure and re-conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

2021 Parish Ecclesiastical Calendars Offered

07/22/2020

Orders are now being taken for the 2021 Parish Ecclesiastical Wall Calendars, an annual resource published by the Department of Communications of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 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.

Archdiocese Responds to Economic Conditions

07/20/2020

The financial consequences to certain of our parishes have been particularly significant, causing a decline in revenues from the Total Commitment program which, in turn, reduces the operating funds of the Archdiocese. Unfortunately, the uncertainty associated with the Total Commitment revenues as the pandemic enters its sixth month has forced the Archdiocese to make the difficult decision to reduce its employment costs through a furlough program.
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Calendar

  • Month at a Glance

    July 26 to August 23, 2020

    Sunday, July 26

    7th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    1:00PM Baptism

    Monday, July 27

    Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Liturgy

    Saturday, August 1

    12:00PM Baptism

    Sunday, August 2

    8th Sunday of Matthew

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Monday, August 3

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    Tuesday, August 4

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    Sunday, August 9

    9th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    Monday, August 10

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    Tuesday, August 11

    10:00AM Paraklesis

    Wednesday, August 12

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    Thursday, August 13

    10:00AM Paraklesis

    Friday, August 14

    6:00PM Great Vespers - Feast of Assumption/Koimisis

    Saturday, August 15

    The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Liturgy

    Sunday, August 16

    10th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    Thursday, August 20

    7:30PM Parish Council

    Sunday, August 23

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

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