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 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Saints and Feasts

March 27

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Memorial

Today we commemorate the immigrants and faithful Christians who laid the foundations of our Faith in the Greater Danbury area and established our Assumption Greek Orthodox Church as we begin our celebration and preparation of the Consecration of our Church next year, September 24, 2023.

The Memorial Service is offered in memory of the founding officers and Parish Council members of our Holy Assumption Church who signed the Incorporation Document for the State of Connecticut on September 19, 1938 and approved on September 26, 1938. The Charter Fee was $15.00. The first assigned Proistamenos was Father Theodore Scartsiaris. We remember the Faithful Parishioners who throughout the history of our Church sacrificed and supported our Assumption Church through the depression, World War II, and to the present day.

Father Theodore Scartsiaris; Nicholas Hatzopoulos, President; Matthew Carcanis, Vice President; Charles(Konstandinos) Panasis, Treasurer; George Hondron, Secretary; Kyriakos Bakalis, Peter(Petros) Mitchell, George Kefalas; And the benefactors, contributors and members of our Assumption Church Family who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection unto life everlasting.

ΑΙΩΝΙΑ Η ΜΝΗΜΗ - Eternal Be Their Memory.

Parish News

Veneration of the Holy Cross

Today, at Mid-Lent, we will have a Procession of the Holy Cross that is surrounded by Daffodils, the first flower of Spring, that symbolizes new life and the Resurrection. We also remember our Holy Cross Theological Seminary and Hellenic College.

Sunday Collection Basket

We are very thankful for the support of so many families and individuals who financially support the Ministries of our Assumption Church. Your Stewardship Commitment and donations for candles, Feast Days and special offerings help our Church meet the Yearly Budget. Our Parish Council has decided to continue placing the traditional Collection Basket on a table in the Narthex. Parishioners and visitors may offer a donation if they wish following Divine Liturgy and other Services as they exit the Church. Thank you for your gifts that support the many Ministries and programs of our Church. God Bless you.

Special Services This Week

Wednesday, March 30 - 6:00PM Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts

Friday, April 1 - 7:00PM 4th Heretismi - Salutations

Community Dinner

Honoring Our Past Dinner - April 2, 5:00pm - Reservations Required

In anticipation of our Consecration celebration in September 2023, we are asking for your help to document and preserve our early Assumption Church history through your personal stories. All are invited to attend an evening of dinner and storytelling in our Church Hall. Join us for this one-time opportunity to tell your family story and ensure that your family history will be recorded in the Assumption Church archives. The event is free and reservations are required to attend. Email office@agoc.us or add your name to the signup sheet in the Parish Hall. Please indicate if you would like to share a story. Please bring any written materials, photos, videos, etc. that you are willing to loan us to scan for future display and archiving.

Greek Dance

Registration for the Greek Dance Program continues now through April 10th. Registration forms will be available in our Church Hall.

We encourage all young people, Kindergarten to Young Adult, to be part of our wonderful Dance Troupes and learn the traditional folk dances of Greece. Our Church is known throughout the Archdiocese for our Greek Folk Dance Troupes that provide entertainment at our Greek Festivals.

Dance practices will begin on May 5th.

For more information, please contact Presbytera Maria Karloutsos at: greekdance@agoc.us

GOYA Retreat

Lenten Retreat

Sunday, April 3, 2-6pm. Click on flyer for details.

Creation Care Ministry

Our Assumption Bible Garden will be in full bloom this Summer thanks to our wonderful parishioner support!! We are hard at work planning an oasis of prayer and contemplation.

If you missed the opportunity to purchase a brick, we opened up the website for one more week!! Please visit: https://www.thatsmybrick.com/agoc.

Our final deadline for brick orders is Sunday, March 27. No orders will be accepted after this time.

Family Ministry Seminar

KIMISIS TIS THEOTOKOU presents A FAMILY MINISTRY SEMINAR

April 9th - We know that Church should be a part of family life. But, how can we do this when life is so demanding? How can we find peace in our lives from day to day as we struggle to live out our Orthodox Faith? Please click on flyer for details.

Adult & Youth Choir News

Adult Choir

We need voices to sing praises together - experienced or new, men, women, young and old, even families learning hand-in-hand - all raising our voices as we lead the congregation in harmonious worship.

Please join us after regular services in the Choir Loft for practice and become an active participant as we venerate our God for His great love and mercy! Questions? Please contact Anne Ktorides at choir@agoc.us

Youth Choir

During Lent and Easter Week, the Youth Choir will sing on the following dates

Friday, Χαιρετισμοί (Salutations) Services: April 1 and 8 @ 7:00 pm.

Sunday, March 27th [Veneration of the Cross]

Sunday, April 10th [5th Sunday of Lent/ St. Mary of Egypt]

Great and Holy Friday, April 22nd [Lamentations]

Sunday, April 17th [Palm Sunday] *We will sing on Palm Sunday instead of Easter Sunday

Saturday, April 23rd [Ανασταση/Easter]

Sunday, May 8 * we may sing on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in May [TBA]

Sunday, May 22

GOARCH Ukraine Relief Fund

Relief Fund Update

The Assumption Church Ukraine Relief Fund Committee would like to express our most sincere gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of donations we have received from not only our parish faithful, but also from many sister houses of worship and remarkable citizens of the Danbury area and beyond.

We have received donations from as far away as Illinois and Florida. The checks arrive wrapped in notes of compassion, prayers and hope. One donation came with a note stating that she was honoring her friend’s 75th birthday request to donate to Ukraine in lieu of gifts.

To date we have collected over $12,000 (including our original $3,000 pledge) that will be donated to the GOARCH Ukrainian Relief Fund. We thank everyone for their generosity and plan to continue raising funds for the tragic humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

The GOARCH Ukrainian Relief Fund, established in collaboration with the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), aims to raise $1 million for both immediate and long-term support of the Ukrainian people. Early today, His Eminence also donated $100,000 to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, to support the efforts of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

A collection basket has been set up in our outer Narthex or can be mailed directly to our Church. Please make out checks to Assumption Church and write “Ukraine Relief" in the memo. All donations will go to the GOARCH Ukrainian Relief Fund in collaboration with the IOCC.

Please share this information with anyone looking for a way to help!

To make a direct credit card donation (will not be matched) please click here: www.goarch.org/donate/ukraine

Ladies Philoptochos Society

Baking for Pascha: On April 12 and 13, Philoptochos will be making Tsourekia/Easter bread and koulourakia/traditional Greek cookies. We need people to help! Please join us!

Agape Coffee Fellowship HOSTESSES/HOSTS NEEDED

Thank you to Betsy and Carl Ern for hosting this Sunday’s fellowship!

We still need volunteers to host in April. If you'd like to be a hostess or host, please sign up via Sign-up Genius by clicking here: Hosting March - April

Our new Sign Up for May and June is now available: Hosting May - June

We truly appreciate the volunteer work of our hosts and hostesses.

Questions? Please contact Barbara Soldano or Caryn Flannery (philoptochos@agoc.us).

For Agape fellowship Sponsoring opportunities/availability and guidelines please contact Margot Racano at: office@agoc.us.

Protomayia Glendi

May Dance - Sunday, May 1

We have begun selling tickets for our church dance and the cost is $75 pp. all tickets must be paid in advance by April 17th. Live band, paid in advance, please join us. Cash bar. Click on flyer for details!

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.

Calendar

Month at-a-Glance

March 27 to April 24, 2022

Sunday, March 27

Sunday of the Holy Cross

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, March 30

John Climacus the Righteous, author of The Divine Ladder of Ascent

6:00PM Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts

Friday, April 1

Mary of Egypt

7:00PM 4th Heretismi - Salutations

Saturday, April 2

5:00PM Honoring the Past Dinner - reservations required

Sunday, April 3

Sunday of St. John Climacus

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

2:00PM GOYA RETREAT

Wednesday, April 6

Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

6:00PM Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts

Friday, April 8

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes

7:00PM The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Sunday, April 10

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, April 13

Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

6:00PM Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts

Saturday, April 16

Lazarus Saturday

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Making Crosses for Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 17

Palm Sunday

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

7:00PM Nymphios Service - Bridegroom Services

Monday, April 18

Holy Monday

7:00PM Nymphios Service - Bridegroom Services

Tuesday, April 19

Holy Tuesday

7:00PM Nymphios Service - Hymn of Kassiani

Wednesday, April 20

Holy Wednesday

5:00PM Hfheleon - (Holy Unction)

Thursday, April 21

Holy Thursday

8:00AM Divine Liturgy of Basil the Great

7:00PM The Crucifixion of Our Lord

Friday, April 22

Holy Friday

10:00AM Reading of the Hours

3:00PM The Apokathilosis Service

7:00PM Service of Lamentations

Saturday, April 23

Holy Saturday

10:00AM Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

11:00PM The Canon - (Hymns of Pascha) followed by the Resurrection Gospel at Midnight

Sunday, April 24

Great and Holy Pascha

11:00AM Agape Service - (Great Vespers)

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins