This Week

Saturday, Nov. 16
4:00 PM: Bible Study; 5:00 PM: Great Vespers

9th Sunday of Luke, Nov. 17
9:00 AM: Orthros; 10:00 AM: Divine Liturgy, Sunday School; 11:30 AM: Parish Assembly

Wednesday, Nov. 20
5:00 PM: Great Vespers

Thursday, Entrance of the Theotokos, Nov. 21
8:15 AM: Orthros; 9:00 AM: Divine Liturgy; 10:15 AM: Liturgical Readings Study; 7:00 PM: OCF @ Norwich

Saturday, Nov. 23
4:00 PM: Bible Study; 5:00 PM: Great Vespers

13th Sunday of Luke, Nov. 24
9:00 AM: Orthros; 10:00 AM: Divine Liturgy, Sunday School; 12:15 PM: Philoptochos

Fasting this week
Wed & Fri: Strict Fast
All Other Days: Fish Allowed

Announcements & Future Events

Parish Assembly: our Fall Parish Asembly will be this morning following Divine Liturgy.

Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle: due to logistical problems for the upcoming week, the team from Collette Travel will not be able to visit us on Wednesday to present about next Fall's Parish Trip/Pilgrimage to Greece and Ephesos. We have rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6:00 PM.

Entrance of the Most-Holy Theotokos: on Thursday morning, we celebrate one of the 12 Great & Obligatory Feasts of the Holy Orthodox Church -- The Entrance into the Temple -- Τα Εισόδια στον Ναό. Divine Liturgy will be served that morning at 9:00 AM. This is traditionally the Nameday for all unmarried women named for the Panagia -- Many Years -- Χρόνια Πολλά!

Proskomide (Offerings):

Prosphora - Father Andreas

Coffee Hour - Athas family for Fr. Bob's 45th anniversary of ordination

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Let us the faithful give praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for of His own goodwill he consented to ascend the cross in the flesh and endured death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for Gregory the Wonderworker in the Plagal 4th Mode

By your accomplishments, you earned the name that you bore, for you were vigilant in prayer and diligent in working miracles. Therefore, holy father Gregory, intercede with Christ our God, that He illumine our souls, lest we fall asleep in sin unto death.

Apolytikion of Church of the Dormition in the 1st Mode

In giving birth you did retain your virginity. In your repose, you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You have passed into life, you that are the Mother of Life. And by your intercessions, you redeem our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Saints and Feasts

November 17

Gregory the Wonderworker & Bishop of Neo-Caesarea

Saint Gregory was born in Neocaesarea of Pontus to parents who were not Christians. He studied in Athens, in Alexandria, in Beirut, and finally for five years in Caesarea of Palestine under Origen, by whom he was also instructed in the Faith of Christ. Then, in the year 240, he became bishop of his own city, wherein he found only seventeen Christians. By the time the Saint reposed about the year 265, there were only seventeen unbelievers left there. Virtually the whole duration of his episcopacy was a time of continual, marvellous wonders worked by him. Because of this, he received the surname "Wonderworker"; even the enemies of the truth called him a second Moses (see Saint Basil the Great's On the Holy Spirit, ch. 29).

November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.

Holy Sacraments

HOLY COMMUNION

With the fear of God, faith, and love draw near! (Divine Liturgy)

Here are some things to prayfully consider before approaching the Body and Blood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ:

1.) The frequent reception of Holy Communion is encouraged! This means however that we must all frequently prepare to receive Holy Communion. If you have not been to Church for a while, consider this an opportunity to restart your life in Christ, and to speak with your Priest about receiving the Sacraments of the Church. Never be afraid or discouraged to come and speak to Father Andreas before receiving Holy Communion!

2.) We receive Holy Communion when we become members in good standing of the Orthodox Church. This takes places through the Sacraments of Baptism, and Chrismation in a canonical jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church. If you would like to become an Orthodox Christian, please see Fr. Andreas!

3.) Our goal is to become closer to God by living a life of Holiness! Something to reflect on before and after we consume the Body and Blood of Christ is whether or not we are living our lives in peace and love as God wants us to.

4.) It is necessary to fast prior to receiving Holy Communion. We should abstain from food or drink prior to receiving the the Body and Blood of our Lord unless it is medically neccesary. If you have any questions, please speak to Fr. Andreas.

5.) CAUTION! Please approach the chalice carefully! Never do anything that could potentially spill the Body and Blood of Christ from the Chalice!!!

6.) When receiving Communion, please close your mouth in a natural manner as you would when feeding yourself with a spoon. Please also ensure that the red cloth is placed under your chin.

8.) Women, please blot or remove lipstick prior to receiving Holy Communion.

PASTORAL VISITATIONS

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. (James 5:13-15)

Please call the Church Office or call Fr. Andreas’s emergency cell phone number to let him know what your pastoral needs are. You can also ask a family members, a social worker, or a Hospital Chaplain to notify the Church so that they can inform Fr. Andreas that you are in need of pastoral care.

CONFESSION

A young monk said to the great ascetic Abba Sisoes: “Abba, what should I do? I fell.” The elder answered: “Get up!” The monk said: “I got up and I fell again!” The elder replied: “Get up again!” But the young monk asked: “For how long should I get up when I fall?” “Until your death,” answered Abba Sisoes. (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)

Confession is necessary for our personal healing, and for the repentance and forgiveness of sins. It’s also a vital element of our Lord’s Commission to us as Orthodox Christians for the life and growth of the Church.

Never be afraid to speak to Fr. Andreas in order to make the necessary arrangements for the Sacrament of Confession. Confession is offered after Saturday evening Great Vespers. You can also call Father during the week, or just get a hold of him after Liturgy, to schedule Confession!

For additional resources about Holy Communion, Confession, or any other pastoral concern please see Father Andreas or visit our Church website http://www.gocvt.org/

Wisdom of the Fathers

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.