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Assumption Church
Publish Date: 2021-03-07
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Lastjudgement1
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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 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."


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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
March 07

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.


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Sunday School Starts Today

Dear Assumption Church Family,

We have begun classes for our Catechism School Youth.  We thank our teachers, parents and Catechism School supervisors, Georgia Garay and Christina Donigian for their love and dedication in order to have our Youth return to learning about our Lord, Jesus Christ and for sharing their Faith with one another and for the needed fellowship that we all miss.

Even though we are beginning to put behind us this terrible pandemic, we still need to take precautions.  With that in mind please see the following:

Every student must be registered so that safe preparations are made for the classrooms---see the link  CORRECTED REGISTRATION FORM  ....every child needs to register to attend class.  

Some classrooms will be combined, some teachers have moved around.  This is the season of flexibility, pivoting, compassion, letting go and forgiveness.  Everyone is doing the best that they can.  

SUPPLIES: Grades 4th and below please bring a baggie with crayons, scissors and glue, pencil and eraser.  It can be left in the classroom with their name on it or it can be brought back and forth each Sunday.  Grades 5th and above please bring a pencil, eraser and paper/notebook.  

PROTOCOL: Please have kids wear masks.  Remind them they need to keep their distance and follow protocols like they do in school.  If your child is unable to sit and follow the current guidelines please reach out to us and we can discuss options. Following Holy Communion our young people and teachers will proceed to their classes.    

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL: Children in 1st grade and below, an adult will meet you in the narthex to take your child to their classroom.  We are trying to avoid congregating in small spaces.  At the end of class, the teachers of kids in 1st grade and below will bring the children to the community hall and those in grades 2nd and up will meet you down there independently.  

Following Divine Liturgy, we ask parents to proceed to the Fellowship Hall downstairs to wait for their child/children.  We do not want parents/people crowded in the hallway of our classrooms or office area.  There are tables set up in the Hall. 

Remember, we still need to follow safety guidelines, although, thankfully we see that with the vaccine and herd immunity we will soon be able to have less restrictions. 

As yet we are not providing coffee or refreshments.  We are working out ways to begin Coffee Fellowship.  We encourage and ask men and women to sign up with our Ladies Philoptochos that you are willing to sign up for one Sunday to help set up, serve and clean for the Coffee Fellowship so that we have many people volunteering.  We always need more volunteers.  We all need to do our share in giving of our TIME, TALENTS AND TREASURE.  Especially our TIME.

Thank you very much for the love and support for your Assumption Church Family and for our Youth.

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Light-a-Candle

Please visit our website homepage at www.agoc.us to use our latest Light-a-Candle feature.

Lighting a candle in the Narthex is one of the first things many people do upon entering an Orthodox Church. This act symbolizes many things. For some, it is an offering of prayer for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend. Others light candles and pray for protection, safety, and courage to live this life without fear.

Lighting candles is an important part of our faith and we know that it has been - and continues to be - challenging for some to be unable to pray and light candles inside the church over the past year.

We are now pleased to offer AGOC parishioners the option to light a Narthex candle or altar candle when you are unable to attend in-person services. Should you wish to light a candle, a member of the Parish Council will be happy to do so for you during the current or next services.

We appreciate your desire to continue to support our parish.

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Parish News

    Make New Friends the Old-Fashioned Way

    Make New Friends the Old-Fashioned Way

    Please consider joining the pen pal initiative which was brought to us by the National Philoptochos. Children of all ages (3-18), please consider connecting to someone elderly or homebound the old fashioned way (via snail mail). You can draw a picture, write a note and ask a question. This will hopefully be the beginning of a new friendship, a learning opportunity and a moment to experience true empathy and grace. Please contact Michaele Giannoutsos at michkg76@gmail.com to be connected with a member of our parish! Thank you and looking forward to hearing how much happiness this brings to both the one who sends the letter and the one that receives it.


    National Orthodox Youth Lenten Retreat

    National Orthodox Youth Lenten Retreat

    Hellenic College Holy Cross is inviting High school students to attend a national Lenten retreat on March 13th 1-3:30pm. This national retreat will be virtually led and organized by their Sonia Belcher Ambassadors, a group of carefully selected students of HCHC dedicated to working with youth ministries and leading retreats. In this retreat our Ambassadors want to walk with your high schoolers through how our lives can feel isolated, cluttered, and distracted. Through small groups and presentations the retreat will allow time to reflect and discuss isolation and habits, both bad that we might have developed and good that we can develop this Lenten season. If your high school parishioners are interested in participating in HCHC's Lenten retreat please fill out the form found at: https://enrollment.hchc.edu/AMBASSADORS_LENTEN_RETREAT


    Direct Archdiocesan District Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians

    Direct Archdiocesan District Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians

    The DAD Federation is presenting its first ‘Virtual Youth Concert,’ to benefit the Demetrios C. Pappas Educational Scholarship Program, featuring a select group of Scholarship recipients. The Concert will be available for viewing on YouTube from Sunday, March 7, 2021 starting at 7:30 pm until midnight on Tuesday, March 9th. This will allow you the opportunity for unlimited viewing of the Concert during that period. Our own talented parishioners, Anna Mederer and Julianne Papadopoulos, who both have been honored with Choir Federation Scholarships, will be singing as part of the Virtual Concert. Tickets start at $25 for single admission and are now available for purchase, along with opportunities for one of three sponsorship levels. Please visit the “News and Events” Page on our Federation website at: archdistrict.churchmusic.goarch.org where you may view our promotional video and purchase tickets online.


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GOYA Meeting Today

Please join us for a G.O.Y.A. meeting on Sunday, March 7th immediately following Catechism school. All those in grades 7th through 12th please meet in the conference room to discuss upcoming youth group gatherings.  Please encourage your children to attend and to connect with their fellow Greek Orthodox peers. GOYA provides an opportunity to grow spiritually, to be of service to our immediate community and those in need in our greater community and to come together in love!    

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GOYA Retreat

    Making Time For Silence

    Making Time For Silence

    Join Steve Christoforou for a discussion about the anxiety and inauthenticity of presenting a curated version of ourselves to the world – “leave your cool card at the door.” Learn to open ourselves to God in stillness with a guided exercise in silence and prayer. In-person retreat in our Parish Hall. Limited seating available. Please rsvp at: https://forms.gle/Sm91YSNd7sY6gYh79


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LOVE Event

Saturday, March 20 - Save the date for a morning park gathering of our LOVE children and families. Details will follow in the March 14 bulletin and on our website at https://www.agoc.us/youth-ministries/love.

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Special Services

Saturday, March 13 - Second Saturday of Souls, 10:00am Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 15 - Clean Monday, 7:00pm Compline and Service of Forgiveness

Wednesday, March 17 - Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm

Saturday, March 20 - Third Saturday of Souls, 10:00am Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, March 24 - Great Vespers--Annunciation of the Theotokos 6:00pm

Thursday, March 25 - Annunciation of the Theotokos, 8:45am Orthros, 10:00am Divine Liturgy

Friday, March 26 -Heretismis - Salutations to the Theotokos, 7:00pm

Wednesday, March 31 -Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm

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Links for Livestreaming Services

Pray with us by subscribing to the Assumption YouTube channel 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tD5mB_u3GgO1J8ikwIW0g

Or by visiting our Assumption page on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/assumptiongreekorthodoxchurch/videos/?ref=page_internal

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

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Ladies Philoptochos Society

Meeting: Please join us for our virtual Philoptochos meeting on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 6:30pm via Zoom. An email will be sent with details for joining the meeting by Sunday. Please join us and continue your support for our wonderful organization.

Volunteers Needed:  We are looking for more ladies to Volunteer their TIME, TALENT or TREASURE. Elections are coming up in 2 months for new Board of Directors and new Executive Officers.  Interested???!!  For more details speak to Caryn Flannery, Fevri Gkanatsios or Eleni Manolakes or email philoptochos@agoc.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 2021 Michael Kallas Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship is available for any graduating High School boy or girl. Applications have been emailed or you may CLICK HERE. Completed applications must be returned to Caryn Flannery, Ladies Philoptochos, by March 31, 2021. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

National Obligations: Our monthly National obligations for March are

1. Orthodox Christian Mission Center; 2. SAMP: Support A Mission Priest; 3. Hellenic College Holy Cross Lenten Event.  Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Information regarding all of our National obligations can be found at:  https://www.philoptochos.org/commitments/ 

Donations - Donations may be made directly to our Philoptochos by by CLICKING HERE. BE SURE TO CHECK OFF LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS. You may also mail a check to church.

Philoptochos Stewardship:  Our 2021 Stewardship drive continues for the Ladies Philoptochos! You may make online stewardship donations by CLICKING HERE.  BE SURE TO CHECK OFF LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS. Email us at philoptochos@agoc.us to notify us you have submitted a stewardship offering. You may also mail your stewardship offering and include a Stewardship Form, available on the church site: https://agoc.us/agoc-organizations/philoptochos/. We invite all men of our parish to become our Philoptochos Associates!

Link to National Ladies Philoptochos Society March 2021 Newsletter: 

Philanthropy Witness- March 2021 (mailchi.mp)

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AHEPA Scholarship

Ahepa 2021 Macricostas Scholarship:  Ahepa is pleased to offer this year's Ahepa Macricostas Scholarship. The application is available on the Ahepa page of the church website at https://www.agoc.us/news/ahepa-danbury-chapter-90, in the Church Narthex and students can email TonyVEsq@millplainlaw.com for a copy. The deadline is May 16, 2021. Please note the requirements. Applications must be mailed or emailed by the deadline. 

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Youth/Family Ministry

Be the Bee #167 - How Will You Be Judged? (Judgment/Meatfare Sunday)

 In Matthew 25, Jesus offers a prophetic word on the Day of Judgment, when He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Yet this isn't a private judgment, focused on our own private religiosity. It's based on the way we treat other people.

In fact, Jesus tells us that, when we love others, we are actually loving Him.

And, when we despise others, we're actually despising Him. Because right and wrong is about more than what’s right or wrong for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MBu-u0qv6o

Downloadable Workbook

https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee167

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Birthday Celebrations

3/7 - Maria Petsas
3/9 - Angela Galleano 
3/10 - Robin Rockwell 
3/11 - Pauline Anastasakis 

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: office@agoc.us
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Creation Care Ministry

For our Orthodox Church, the protection of the environment as God’s creation is the supreme responsibility of human beings, quite apart from any material or financial benefits that it may bring. The almighty God bequeathed this “very beautiful” world (Gen. 1.26) to humanity along with the command to “serve and preserve” it. - HAH Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, June 2009

Ask yourself - How can I help the world today?

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Stewardship Ministry

We are grateful to the 56 families and individuals who have submitted Pledge Cards for our Assumption Church in 2021. Help us reach our goal of 100% participation this year!  Pledge Cards are not only important for financial planning and contact information, but more importantly we would like to use the TIME commitment choices to better bring our community together.  If you have already given towards your Stewardship for 2021, we thank you! but we kindly ask you to fill out your Pledge Card to continue to move our community forward.  

We have currently raised $60,628.68 of our stewardship goal of $275,553.00 (as of 2/28/21). If your name has been omitted by mistake, please accept our apologies and notify the Church Office immediately so that we can correct the error. You can also click HERE to download and print out a Pledge Card which can either be mailed to church or scanned and emailed to stewardship@agoc.us

2021 Stewards who have Submitted Pledge Cards (as of February 28th)

Peter & Dina Athanasoulis
Stavros & Zoy Beretis
Denise Chamoures
Mercene Chamoures
Peter & Susan Chipouras
Barbara Christos
Olvas & Linda Dallaku
Robert & Evelyn Didato
James & Xenia Eliades
Ricky Flannery
Jennifer Flannery
Caryn Flannery
Diane Foley
Gregg & Grace Geanuracos
William & Mary Giannakakos
Michaele & Steve Giannoutsos
Nikolaos & Fevri Gkanatsios
Phil & Michel Herzegovitch
Greg & Renata Amaral Kallas
Georgia Karambatsos
Fr. Nikolas & Pres. Meghan Karloutsos
Fr. Peter & Pres. Maria Karloutsos
Michelle Stavros & James Keenan
Nick & Josephine Kleopoulos
Peter & Lisa Koukos
Maria Koulouris
Dimitri & Rose Koulouris
Konstantinos & Anna Marie Koulouris
Stanley & Anne Ktorides
Antonios Loukrezis
Constantine & Krystalia Mastrogianni
Patricia Maxwell
Tina & Peter McCauley
Dorothy Missailidis
Peter & Annette Nikolis
No Name No Name
Steve & Maria Ortiz
Evelyn Panasis
James & Barbara Pappas
David & Elizabeth Pappas
Karas Paulette
Paul & Margot Racano
Donna Rondano
James & Magdalene Rountos
Steven & Paraskevi Rountos
Steven & Shannon Rountos
Anthony & Barbara Soldano
Chryse & Scott Terrill
Connie Stavros & Robert Tracey
Elias & Freda Tsekerides
Bobby & Vasiliki Valassis
Panaiota Vali Constantine
Greg & Olga Verses
Anthony Vlahos
Martin & Cindy Ziemnicki

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Calendar

  • Month at a Glance

    March 7 to April 4, 2021

    Sunday, March 7

    Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Saturday, March 13

    Second Saturday of Souls (Cheesefare Saturday)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, March 14

    Forgiveness Sunday

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Monday, March 15

    7:00PM Clean Monday - Compline and Service of Forgiveness

    Wednesday, March 17

    6:00PM Presanctified Liturgy

    Thursday, March 18

    7:30PM PC Meeting

    Friday, March 19

    7:00PM Heretismi - Salutations to the Theotokos

    Saturday, March 20

    Third Saturday of Souls - First Saturday of Lent: The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, March 21

    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Wednesday, March 24

    Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos

    6:00PM Great Vespers--Annunciation of the Theotokos

    Thursday, March 25

    Annunciation of the Theotokos

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Friday, March 26

    Synaxis in honor of the Archangel Gabriel

    7:00PM Heretismi - Salutations to the Theotokos

    Sunday, March 28

    Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Wednesday, March 31

    6:00PM Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts

    Friday, April 2

    7:00PM 3rd Heretismi - Salutations to the Theotokos

    Saturday, April 3

    5:00PM Vespers

    6:00PM Lenten Retreat and discussion following Vespers (no meal)

    Sunday, April 4

    Sunday of the Holy Cross

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

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