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 Ephesians 6:10-17.

Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Saints and Feasts

August 27

Phanourios the Great Martyr & Newly Appeared of Rhodes

Little is known of the holy Martyr Phanurius, except that which is depicted concerning his martyrdom on his holy icon, which was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes, when the Moslems ruled there. Thus he is called "the Newly Revealed." The faithful pray to Saint Phanurius especially to help them recover things that have been lost, and because he has answered their prayers so often, the custom has arisen of baking a Phaneropita ("Phanurius-Cake") as a thanks-offering.

Church Life

Holy Baptism

Aug. 20 - Omiros Morris, son of Athanasia and Iasonas Konosidis of Ridgefield, CT. Sponsor is Georgios Sarkisan.

Aug. 26 - Robert James, son of Lauren and Robert Lycoudes of Ridgefield, CT. Sponsors are Steven Vereb and Amanda Muccioli.

Holy Chrismation

Aug. 26 - Lauren Catherine Lycoudes of Ridgefield, CT was received into the Holy Greek Orthodox Church through the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Holy Chrismation. Sponsor is Margot Racano.

God's Grace and Life. ΝΑ ΜΑΣ ΖΗΣΟΥΝ!

Holy Consecration Event

We Invite you to “Break Bread Together”

Saturday, September 2nd at 6:30 pm in our Community Hall

As we prepare for the Holy Consecration of our Church, we offer an opportunity to contemplate our three themes – Celebration, Renewal, and Devotion – and consider what this sacred ceremony means to you.
On Saturday, September 2nd, we will gather to “Break Bread Together,” as did the earliest followers of Christ. We invite you to join us to share stories of Faith and Love and explore how we can make the upcoming Holy Consecration personally meaningful. Light fare will be offered.

For the schedule of the Holy Consecration Services visit our web site at: https://www.agoc.us/consecration

Holy Consecration Godparent List

Godparent List as of 8-23-23

Dear Assumption Church Family, The Holy Consecration of our Church is October 1, 2023. Many of our parishioners have become godparents by donating towards this historic event. We are truly grateful. There is still an opportunity to become a godparent. Forms were sent to all our Parish Family and are also available in the vestibule of our Church. You can go to our website and click onto "online giving" and donate for the Consecration. Make sure to mark on your calendars October 1st and September 30th to participate in the Sacred Services of the Consecration of our Assumption Church. The Parish Council and Consecration Committee --- Kindly report any errors to office@agoc.us.

Hospitality Ministry

Thank you to Margot and Paul Racano and Maria Lycoudes for sponsoring today's Coffee Fellowship in celebration of their grandson's Baptism (Robert James) and their daughter's Chrismation (Lauren Catherine).

Thank you to Kiki and Peter Soumakis for hosting today’s Coffee Fellowship.

If you'd like to be a hostess or host, please sign up on the board that is located in our Parish Hall or on line at: September and October Sign Up

Hosting duties include setting up, serving the coffee and cleaning up. We will always pair you with an experienced hostess!

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.

Parish News

Feed the Hungry Ministry

Thank you to the volunteer, who wishes to remain anonymous, who prepared and delivered our sandwich obligation to Dorothy Day Hospitality House for the month of August. This is an ongoing ministry that donates 60 sandwiches on the fourth Wednesday of each month. To volunteer, please contact office@agoc.us.

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.

Ladies Philoptochos Society

September Meeting Date Change

Please join us on Sunday, September 10th at 12:30pm in the Parish Hall for our monthly meeting.

Youth and Adult Choir

Calling all Youth & Adult Choir Members, past & present!

Join our Consecration Home-Coming (HoCo) Choir! Please join us every Wednesday evening @ 7:00 pm from this Wednesday until Wednesday, September 27, to rehearse music for a performance that will take place on Sunday, October 1, during the Consecration Luncheon at the Amber Room. Please contact Cindy Ziemnicki, youthchoir@agoc.us for information. Rehearsals will also be 'broadcast' via Google Meet to accommodate summer travels and/or any difficulties attending rehearsals.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.

St. Isaac of Syria

Unknown, 7th century

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

August 27 to September 24, 2023

Sunday, August 27

12th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Saturday, September 2

5:00PM Consecration - Breaking of Bread 5 pm

Sunday, September 3

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Sunday, September 10

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

12:30PM Philoptochos Meeting

Thursday, September 14

☦️ The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Saturday, September 16

11:00AM Baptism

Sunday, September 17

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:45AM Church Family Picnic

Tuesday, September 19

7:00PM Consecration - meeting

Thursday, September 21

7:30PM Parish Council Meeting

Friday, September 22

7:00PM Consecration - Breaking of Bread

Sunday, September 24

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

2:00PM Regional Hospice Service of Remembrance

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins