Weekly Events

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The global spread of COVID-19 has become the focus of attention and concern for many people. At our beloved Dormition Church it is not any different. Father Anthony, the Parish Council President and council members are diligently working to understand how best to reach out to the parish community.

Even though the doors of our church remain closed to the public, we have introduced the following so our faithful parishioners and friends can participate while they remain safely at home:

Live-Streaming Sunday Divine Liturgies
- 8:30 am Orthros and 10 am Divine Liturgy. Please let us know if you would like to participate and we will find remote participation way via Zoom or other platforms.
- You can find the link on our website: www.dormitionchurch.org
- Please help your elderly family members who are not computer savvy stay connected with the church. It’s important for them to feel a connection to something that has been part of them their entire lives.

Live-Streaming Bible Study twice a day with Father Anthony
- 11:00 am & 7:00 pm as well as the possibility of an interactive study over Zoom Video Conferencing in the coming days
- You can find the link on our website: www.dormitionchurch.org

Many Ministries are also continuing their good work while observing social distancing
- Sunday School via Zoom every Sunday at 1:30pm. The invitation to join the class will be sent via email on Saturday evening.
- Adult Greek Classes are being conducted thru Zoom. Invitations will be sent Friday night. Please contact Father Anthony or Anna Galbadis (agalbadis@verizon.net)if you would like to participate.
- GOYA is also having their get-togethers via ZOOM. Please contact Maria Brouard if your child is GOYA age and has not been in contact with GOYAns. You can reach Maria via email mariabrou95@gmail.com
- Greek School Classes are being conducted via Google Classroom.
- Joy Ministry via Zoom every Friday at 5pm. Please contact Kate Makrigiannis if your child is between the ages of 5 to 12 years old and has not been in contact with JOY. You can contact Kate Makrigiannis via email joydotvm@gmail.com

Presvytera Kellie is offering a “Children’s Corner” video program of music, stories, movement and creativity for the children so that their adults might enjoy a well-deserved “Coffee-break” and a companion online magazine.
- The daily program will be produced every Monday thru Friday. It's a work in progress, but bear with us. We hope that it’s a joy-filled resource for everyone, young and not so young alike. Please check out her new blog www.bringbackhope2020.com for encouragement, resources, and a space for kids to share their creations. She is also publishing a companion online children’s magazine each Sunday evening with enrichment activities.

Children’s Weekly magazine

The first two episodes of the video program are available here:
“Children’s Corner” #1
“Children’s Corner” #2

During this period of uncertainty, if for any reason you can’t go out to shop for food or pick up prescriptions, we here at Dormition Church are available to help you. Please reach out to us with your shopping list and our volunteers will do the shopping for you and bring it to your house while practicing safe social distancing. If you are experiencing economic hardship, your church is also here to help during your time of need. Care packages of essential kitchen staples are being made available should it become difficult to provide for your family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us, we are here for you.

Our Parishioners have helped our community through both good and bad times. It’s a two-way street, now your church is here to support you during your time of need. Please reach out! Thank you to our generous donors thru the Dormition Table fund, that we are able to continue serving our Parishioners in-need during this pandemic crisis. If you are able to continue donating to our Dormition Table fund it would be greatly appreciated by the Parish.

In closing, please connect to church life in whatever way you can right now. Live-streaming services, reading spiritual books or other literature sent out from Dormition Church. These things are not substitutes for being there in-person, but they are at least stop-gaps for the moment.

We will get thru this crisis together. Those who are looking for ways to help our community in these difficult times are encouraged to contribute. Your time, talents and treasures are greatly appreciated. May God Bless you and your families with His rich blessings.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Αγαπητοί αδελφοί και αδελφές στον Χριστό,

Η παγκόσμια εξάπλωση του COVID-19 έχει γίνει το επίκεντρο της προσοχής και της ανησυχίας για πολλούς ανθρώπους. Στην αγαπημένη μας Εκκλησία Κοίμησης δεν είναι διαφορετικά. Ο πατέρας Αντώνιος, ο πρόεδρος του Συμβουλίου Ενοριών και τα μέλη του συμβουλίου εργάζονται επιμελώς για να βρουν τον καλύτερο τρόπο προσέγγισης της ενοριακής κοινότητας.

Παρόλο που οι πόρτες της εκκλησίας μας παραμένουν κλειστές για το κοινό, έχουμε παρουσιάσει τα ακόλουθα, ώστε να μπορούν οι πιστοί ενορίτες και φίλοι μας να συμμετάσχουν ενώ μένουν με ασφάλεια στο σπίτι:

Ζωντανή μετάδοση της Κυριακάτικης Θείας Λειτουργίας.
- 8:30 π.μ. Όρθρος και 10 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία. Ενημερώστε μας εάν επιθυμείτε να
  συμμετάσχετε και θα βρούμε τρόπο απομακρυσμένης συμμετοχής μέσω του Zoom ή άλλων μέσων.
- Μπορείτε να βρείτε τον σύνδεσμο στην ιστοσελίδα μας: www.dormitionchurch.org
- Παρακαλώ βοηθήστε τα ηλικιωμένα μέλη της οικογένειάς σας που δεν είναι εξοικειωμένα με τον υπολογιστή να μείνουν συνδεδεμένα με την εκκλησία. Είναι σημαντικό για αυτούς να αισθάνονται μια σύνδεση με κάτι που είναι μέρος τους ολόκληρης ζωή τους.

Ζωντανή μετάδοση μελέτης Αγίας Γραφής δύο φορές την ημέρα με τον Πατέρα Αντώνιο.
- 11:00 π.μ. & 7:00 μ.μ., καθώς και τη δυνατότητα μιας δια δραστικής μελέτης συνδιάσκεψης τις επόμενες μέρες μέσω Zoom Video
- Μπορείτε να βρείτε τον σύνδεσμο στην ιστοσελίδα μας: www.dormitionchurch.org

Πολλές Διακονίες συνεχίζουν επίσης την καλή δουλειά τους, τηρώντας παράλληλα την κοινωνική αποστασιοποίηση.
- Κατηχητικό σχολείο μέσω ZOOM κάθε Κυριακή στις 1:30 μ.μ. Η πρόσκληση για συμμετοχή στην τάξη θα αποσταλεί μέσω ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου το βράδυ του Σαββάτου.
- Τα Ελληνικά Μαθήματα ενηλίκων διεξάγονται μέσω Zoom. Οι προσκλήσεις θα αποσταλούν την Παρασκευή το βράδυ. Παρακαλείσθε να επικοινωνήσετε με τον Πατέρα Αντώνη ή την Άννα Galbadis (agalbadis@verizon.net) εάν επιθυμείτε να συμμετάσχετε.
- Η GOYA έχει επίσης τις συναντήσεις μέσω του ZOOM. Επικοινωνήσετε με την Maria Brouard εάν το παιδί σας είναι ηλικίας GOYA και δεν έχει έρθει σε επαφή με την GOYA. Μπορείτε να φτάσετε την Μαρία μέσω email mariabrou95@gmail.com
- Το JOY έχει επίσης τις συναντήσεις μέσω του ZOOM κάθε Παρασκευή στις 5:00 μ.μ. Επικοινωνήσετε με την Kate Makrigiannis εάν το παιδί σας είναι ηλικίας 5 – 12 ετών και δεν έχει έρθει σε επαφή με το JOY. Μπορείτε να φτάσετε την Kate μέσω email joydotvm@gmail.com
- Οι Ελληνικές σχολικές τάξεις διενεργούνται μέσω της Google αίθουσας.

Η Πρεσβυτέρα Kellie προσφέρει μια "γωνιά των παιδιών" ένα βίντεο πρόγραμμα μουσικής, ιστορίες, κίνηση και δημιουργικότητα για τα παιδιά ώστε οι ενήλικες να απολαύσουν ένα επάξιο “διάλειμμα καφέ"
- Το καθημερινό πρόγραμμα θα παραχθεί κάθε Δευτέρα έως Παρασκευή. Ρυθμίζουμε κάποιες πτυχές της μετάδοσης και της προσβασιμότητάς μας και θα παίξουμε με την εμφάνιση του Zoom την επόμενη εβδομάδα. Είναι ένα έργο σε εξέλιξη, παρακαλούμε έχετε λίγο υπομονή. Ελπίζουμε ότι είναι ένας πόρος γεμάτος χαρά για όλους, νέους και όχι τόσο νέους. Παρακαλώ ελέγξτε την νέα της ιστοσελίδα www.bringbackhope2020.com την επόμενη εβδομάδα για ενθάρρυνση, πόρους και χώρο για τα παιδιά να μοιραστούν τις δημιουργίες τους.
- Τα πρώτα δύο επεισόδια είναι διαθέσιμα εδώ:
  - “Children’s Corner” #1
  - “Children’s Corner” #2

Κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής της περιόδου αβεβαιότητας, αν για οποιονδήποτε λόγο δεν μπορείτε να πάτε έξω για να ψωνίσετε για φαγητό ή να πάρετε τα φάρμακα σας, εμείς εδώ στην εκκλησία της Κοίμησης είναι διαθέσιμοι να σας βοηθήσουμε. Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας με τη λίστα αγορών σας και οι εθελοντές μας θα κάνουν τα ψώνια για εσάς και θα τα φέρουν στο σπίτι σας, ενώ θα ασκούν την ασφαλή κοινωνική αποστασιοποίηση. Εάν αντιμετωπίζετε οικονομικές δυσκολίες, η εκκλησία σας είναι επίσης εδώ για να βοηθήσει κατά τη διάρκεια του χρόνου που χρειάζεστε βοήθεια. Τα πακέτα φροντίδας των βασικών αναγκών κουζίνας διατίθενται σε περίπτωση που είναι δύσκολο να παρέχονται για την οικογένειά σας. Μη διστάσετε να επικοινωνήσετε μαζί μας, είμαστε εδώ για εσάς.

Οι Ενορίτες μας έχουν βοηθήσει την κοινότητά μας τόσο σε καλές όσο και σε δύσκολες στιγμές. Είναι ένας δρόμος δύο δρόμων, τώρα η εκκλησία σας είναι εδώ για να σας υποστηρίξει κατά τη διάρκεια της ανάγκης σας. Παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας!

Στο τέλος, παρακαλώ συνδεθείτε με την εκκλησιαστική ζωή με οποιονδήποτε τρόπο μπορείτε τώρα. Υπηρεσίες ζωντανής ροής, ανάγνωση πνευματικών βιβλίων ή άλλης λογοτεχνίας που αποστέλλονται από την Εκκλησία της Κοίμησης. Αυτά τα πράγματα δεν αποτελούν υποκατάστατα της ύπαρξης στο πρόσωπο, αλλά είναι τουλάχιστον κενά για το παρόν. Είναι ένας δρόμος διπλής κατεύθυνσης, τώρα η εκκλησία σας είναι εδώ για να σας υποστηρίξει κατά τη διάρκεια των αναγκών σας. Παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας! Ευχαριστούμε τους γενναιόδωρους δωρητές μας στο ταμείο της Τραπέζης της Κοίμησης, και είμαστε σε θέση να συνεχίσουμε να εξυπηρετούμε τους ενήλικες που χρειάζονται ένα γεύμα κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής της πανδημικής κρίσης. Εάν είστε σε θέση να συνεχίσετε να κάνετε δωρεά στο ταμείο μας της Τραπέζης της Κοίμησης η Ενορία μας θα το εκτιμούσε πολύ.

Τέλος, παρακαλώ συνδεθείτε με την εκκλησιαστική ζωή με οποιονδήποτε τρόπο μπορείτε τώρα. Υπηρεσίες ζωντανής μετάδοσης Θείας Λειτουργίας, ανάγνωση πνευματικών βιβλίων ή άλλη λογοτεχνία που αποστέλλονται από την Εκκλησία της Κοίμησης. Αυτά τα πράγματα δεν είναι υποκατάστατα της επαφής σε προσωπικό επίπεδο, αλλά είναι τουλάχιστον για να μας γεμίσουν προς το παρόν.

Θα περάσουμε μαζί αυτή την κρίση. Εκείνοι που αναζητούν τρόπους να βοηθήσουν την κοινότητά μας σε αυτές τις δύσκολες στιγμές ενθαρρύνονται να συνεισφέρουν. Ο χρόνος, τα ταλέντα και οι θησαυροί σας εκτιμώνται ιδιαίτερα. Ο Θεός να ευλογεί εσάς και τις οικογένειές σας με τις πλούσιες ευλογίες Του.

Η χάρη του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού να είναι μαζί σας!

Fr. Anthony Tandilyan, Pastor

Diane Karavitis, ParishCouncil President

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YOUTH MINISTRY

HOPE, JOY, GOYA

WEEKLY, FRIDAY ZOOM MEET UP

5:00PM – 6:00PM

April 10^th, 2020. Discussion on Palm Sunday

April 17^th, 2020 Mary Magdalene and the Easter Egg

April 24^th, 2020. Discussion topic: how was your Pascha?

May 1^st, 2020 Discussion topic: favorite songs, dance and games to share. Any topic of choice.

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The Services Offered Below will ONLY be Online

Weekday Services

Saturday, April 11th - SATURDAY OF LAZARUS, Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Liturgy 10 a.m.

Making of the Lazarakia online at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 12th - PALM SUNDAY, Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Liturgy 10 a.m.

Nymphios Service at 7 p.m.

Holy Monday, April 13th - Nymphios Service at 7 p.m.

Holy Tuesday, April 14th - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 8:30 a.m. & Nymphios Service at 7 p.m.

Holy Wednesday, April 15th - Holy Unction at 6 p.m.

Holy Thursday, April 16th - Div. Liturgy at 8:30 a.m.

Service of Passion (12 Gospels) at 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday, April 17th - Service of Royal Hours at 9 a.m.

Vespers of the Descent from the Cross at 3 p.m.

Service of the Lamentations (Epitaphios) at 6:30 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 18th - Vesperal Liturgy at 8:30 a.m.

The Canon of the Ressurection at 11 p.m.

Ressurection of our Lord followed by Divine Liturgy at 12 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Great and Holy Pascha, Sunday, April 19th - Vespers of Love (Agapi Service) and reading of the Gospel in all Languages at 11 a.m.

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EASTER DONATIONS

Every year our Parishioners generously donate for Easter in order to beautify our Church during Holy Week. It's so unfortunate that this year the faithful cannot attend any services due to the COVID-19 crisis, but as you know we are live-streaming all services over the internet. This means that we need to continue the usual traditions of beautifying our church with floral arrangements and icons adorned with flowers. We pray that you will all help us again this year.

Please notify the Church Office at 617-625-2222 as to what you would like to donate.

THANK YOU in advance for your generosity!

CANDLES - Two Axion Estin Iconostasion Candles for each Holy Week Service — $20 each (12 Services)

One Anastasi Pascal Candle for Fr. Anthony - $100

Palms for Palm Sunday— Donated by Evangelos & Marlene Kechris

8 Palm Trees to Decorate for Palm Sunday - $50 Each

Wreath for Crucifix— Donated by Ann Nemphos

Nymphios Icon Flowers—$150

Crucifixion Icon Flowers—$200

Resurrection Icon— $200

Resurrection Lavaron Banner — $200

10 Floral Vases—$125 each

6 Altar Table Floral Vases - $100 each

Bay Leaves - Donated by Kostas & Joy Tomadakis

20 Lily Plants - $35 each

Incense from Holy Mountain—Two boxes $70 each

Olive Oil for Oil lamps

Keeping the doors of our church closed has caused a huge financial burden on our church.

Even though our doors are closed the church still continues to operate as normal.
The services continue but they are broadcasted via live-stream video.
The ministries continue to operate but thru ZOOM video conferencing.

Please consider sending your donations. It is greatly appreciated!

Our Church Needs You! Please support it!

On behalf of Fr. Anthony Tandilyan
Parish Council President, Diane Karavitis
Parish Council Members & Parish Ministries

HAPPY EASTER! KALO PASCHA!

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THANK YOU

Our Dormition church owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mr. John and Mrs. Effie Lagadinos for supporting the Greek Orthodox Churches in the Metropolis of Boston during this pandemic crisis. We truly appreciate their generous donation of $5,000 to our beloved Dormition parish. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios stated in his arch pastoral message: "Hopefully the Lagadinos gift will encourage other brethren to emulate their sterling example at a time when our Parishes, for safety reasons, have closed their doors to our worshiping congregations. As a result, our Communities have lost income from candle and weekly collections".

We are so happy to announce that others have followed in the footsteps of Mr. & Mrs. Lagadinos. A $2,000 donation was received from a generous anonymous family who has indicated to put the donation towards the food care packages that will be given out to people who need them during this crisis. A $1,000 gift from our St. Catherine’s Philoptochos Society, which will also go towards the food care packages. A $500 gift was received from the Poulos Foundation, who is also giving donations to churches who are financial suffering during these unprecedented times. We would also like to thank Evangelos & Marlene Kechris who have put together the food care packages that will be distributed this week.

We hope and pray that the generous examples of Mrs. & Mrs. Lagadinos, the anonymous family, St. Catherine’s Philoptochos Society and the Poulos Foundation will encourage others to also support our Parish. Please consider sending in your donation now, your church truly needs you. Our Parish Thanks You!

Saints and Feasts

April 12

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 12

Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium

This Saint lived during the time of the Iconoclasts, and because of his exceptional and virtuous life became Bishop of Parium. He suffered many hardships, afflictions, and persecutions from the heretics his whole life long, and finally reposed in peace.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.26,1.
Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.
Στίχ. Στίχ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους 4:4-9.

Ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Palm Sunday
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 12:1-18

Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει· ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ· ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας Σίμωνος ᾿Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι· διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.

῎Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ δι᾽ αὐτὸν ὑπῆγον τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων καὶ ἐπίστευον εἰς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν.

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα, ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔκραζον· ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον· μὴ φοβοῦ, θύγατερ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου.

Ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ. ᾿Εμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος, ὅτι ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον.

This Sunday is celebrated

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΙΩΝ

Την ημέρα αυτή γιορτάζουμε την πανηγυρική είσοδο του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού στην Ιερουσαλήμ. Τότε, ερχόμενος ο Ιησούς από τη Βηθανία στα Ιεροσόλυμα, έστειλε δύο από τους Μαθητές του και του έφεραν ένα γαϊδουράκι. Και κάθισε πάνω του για να μπει στην πόλη.

Ο δε λαός, ακούγοντας ότι ο Ιησούς έρχεται, πήραν αμέσως στα χέρια τους βάγια από φοίνικες και βγήκαν να τον υποδεχτούν. Και άλλοι μεν με τα ρούχα τους, άλλοι δε κόβοντας κλαδιά από τα δέντρα, έστρωναν το δρόμο απ’ όπου ο Ιησούς θα περνούσε. Και όλοι μαζί, ακόμα και τα μικρά παιδιά, φώναζαν: «Ωσαννά· ευλογημένος ο ερχόμενος εν ονόματι Κυρίου, ο βασιλεύς του Ισραήλ».

Ο Χριστός εισέρχεται στα Ιεροσόλυμα «επί πώλον όνου». Πορεύεται και οι Ισραηλίτες τον υποδέχονται με τιμές ως Βασιλιά. Εκείνος δεν δίνει ιδιαίτερη σημασία στις τιμές, δεν περιορίζεται στο πανηγύρι, στην πρόσκαιρη δόξα, αλλά προχωρεί στο σταυρό και την Ανάσταση.

Η είσοδος του Χριστού στα Ιεροσόλυμα είναι τελικά η είσοδος του μαρτυρίου στην επίγεια ζωή του Κυρίου. Σε λίγες ημέρες θα μαρτυρήσει και θα θανατωθεί στο σταυρό, για να θανατώσει το θάνατο και να χαρίσει τη ζωή.

PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday in recognition of the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final agonizing journey to His crucifixion. Falling on the sixth Sunday in Lent and the Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday is celebrated in all major Christian churches—Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. In many Orthodox churches, Palm Sunday is known as Entry into Jerusalem. In some countries, the graves of loved ones are decorated with palms. Since palm trees are not indigenous to colder climates, branches of sallow, willow, and yew are often used.

Today, many Palm Sunday traditions remain much the same as those celebrated in the tenth century. Some ceremonies begin with the blessing of the palms. Afterward, many people take the palms home and place them in houses, barns, and fields. In many churches, children serve as an integral part of the service since they enjoy the processions. Children often craft crosses from palm leaves which were used in the Sunday processional. The traditions of Palm Sunday serve as reminders of the life-changing events of Holy Week.

It was traditional in the Near East to place a cover across the path of someone deemed worthy of highest honor. The palm branch was a Jewish symbol of triumph and victory (Leviticus 23:40; Revelation 7:9). In 2 Kings 9:13, Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, received the customary announcing of a king with the spreading of cloaks upon the ground. Jesus, the Messanic King, was given a similar honor. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8)

In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an opportunity to reflect upon the final week of Jesus' life. Jesus did not deny the image that the crowd expected -- the fulfillment of the hopes of Israel that He would be their earthly king, destroying the Roman government. Instead, Jesus humbly entered Jerusalem to give His life on a cross, saving mankind from sin and death. One day, Jesus will return gloriously as a mighty warrior in battle (Revelation 19:11–16). Palm Sunday serves as a preparation of one’s heart for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

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