Altar Team: Lawrence
Parish Council Members on Duty: Gregory Herron, Elena Rollins & Tim Weeks
Reminder: Fr. Michael’s office hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. He can also be reached via his cell phone at (585) 530-9265 and email at fr.michaelmarcantoni@gmail.com.
The 2020 Parish Calendars have arrived from the Archdiocese and are available for pickup in the Narthex. We ask that you please only take one calendar per family so that we will have enough for all of the families in our parish to have a calendar for 2020. Thank you!
Fr. Michael will begin house blessings after Theophany, January 6th. There will be sign-up sheets in the Church hall on Sundays, after Liturgy, and you can also call the Church office at 615-333-1047 if you are interested in having your house blessed. Thank you!
ORTHODOX MEN’S GROUP (OMG) will be meeting Tuesday January 14, 2020 at the home of Mike Delvizis, 1576 Glenellen Way, Brentwood, TN @ 5:30pm (light snacks will be provided). Questions about the Orthodox Faith will be discussed. Hope everyone can come and participate!
Roommate Wanted! There is a young man from Greece in our community who is looking for a roommate or new living situation (preferably with another Orthodox Christian) by the end of January. If you can help or for more information, please contact the Church office at (615) 333-1047. Thank you!
We are very grateful to all those who have hosted coffee hour on Sundays after Liturgy and we encourage and invite people to sign up to host so that we can continue to offer hospitality to others. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please contact the Church office at 615-333-1047 or htgocoffice@gmail.com.
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Anatoliy (Tony); Dimitri; Judson Phillips; Joel Rivera; Malcolm; Evan Parhas; Alyssa; Keith Singley; Evie; Ann; David Ward; Fr. George Vaporis; Eleni Taylor; Isabella Marie Fuller; Bryan; Jeff; Gary; Dorothy Nicklas; Mary Beth; Mick Elias Kuttab; Byron Dwight Wallace; Michael; Nicholas; Patrick; Elli; Eleni; Rhea & Juan Carlos; Lazarus; Subdeacon Victor & Robin Poletajev; Rod Caulkins; Christos Tsiodras; Marie; Christina; George S.; Anastasia; Christoforos; Ekaterina; Emily; Jacob Sotiriadis; Twila; Teresa; George; Basil; Heather Ritscher; Matt, Ali, Lucas & Olivia Ritscher; James & Wesley Austin; Gary Andrew; Andreas; Klitos; Kleo; Erica; Anna; Antonia; Glenda; Maggi; Dorcas; John Timothy; Abigail; Lisa; John; Olivia; Anastasia; Steve Turner; Timothy; Mark Santana; Tyler Dugas; Kalliopi; Angelyn; Tillie; Dale; Amanda; Freeman family; Rose, Scott; Ben, Jessica, Addison & Rogan; Siharya Siloman; Chrysoula; David; Charlie; Balsa; Nicholas; Anastasia; Noah Evans and family; Alexandra; Eleni; Kiki
To add names to the Parish Prayer List, please contact the Church office at 615-333-1047 or htgocoffice@gmail.com
CHURCH ETIQUETTE FAQs
Who may receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church?
Holy Communion is a Sacrament within the Orthodox Church and therefore is offered to Baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome to receive the Blessed Bread (Antidoron) at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
How should I dress in the Orthodox Church?
Wear modest and appropriate attire. Common sense and good judgment should prevail. Avoid wearing lipstick when venerating the icons and receiving Holy Communion. Also, please refrain from chewing gum.
Why do the Ushers/Parish Council ask us to wait before entering at certain times of the service?
There are several parts of the Liturgy where all movement within the Sanctuary should be restricted, including entering the Nave from the Narthex. These parts are:
1) Procession of the Priest and Acolytes with the Gospel
2) The reading of the Epistle and Gospel
3) The priest’s homily (sermon)
4) The Great Procession of the Priest and Altar Boys with the Holy Gifts
5) The recitation of the Nicene Creed
6) The prayers of offering and consecration (From “Thine own of thine own…” until “Especially for our most Holy Lady….”
7) The recitation of the Lord’s Prayer
8) Special services (40-day blessings, memorials, processions…)
My child is being noisy. What should I do?
Children are a great blessing in Church. It is very special to hear our young people begin to participate in the Liturgy, by reciting the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and singing along with our hymns. It is also important that children are present from a very young age to absorb the holy atmosphere of the Divine Liturgy. But sometimes, children have a hard time being quiet or sitting still. Little noises here and there are not worrisome, but in those times when the situation becomes very boisterous, there is a cry room located in the back of the Sanctuary in addition to a foyer with a monitor to watch the Liturgy while the child calms down.
NEW YORK – Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to New York and announced plans to resume the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center. This was the Governor's first meeting with His Eminence since the Archbishop was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archbishop of America to succeed Archbishop Demetrios in May. The project will be driven by a new non-profit organization with an independent, 13-member board - the Friends of St. Nicholas. The new entity has been formed to ensure that the sacred space is completed as expeditiously as possible and can begin welcoming visitors from around the world. The Friends of St. Nicholas will aim to resume construction with a two-year target to complete the church
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
On this first day of the year of our Lord 2020, I greet you in His love with a heart filled with joy and peace. Our Incarnate Savior is with us, guiding us in His divine will, granting us wisdom, filling our hearts with hope in His eternal promises, and leading us in our sacred ministry to share the Gospel of salvation.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has joined with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the major faith leaders of New York State in condemning the recent attacks on the Jewish Community of New York, and in particular, the horrific attack at a Synagogue in the Hasidic town of Monsey, on Saturday, December 28. That statement reads as follows:
