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St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-10
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Prayer List
This Week's Events
Announcements
Lastjudgement1
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St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (607)273-2767
  • Fax:
  • (607)273-6733
  • Street Address:

  • 120 West Seneca Street

  • Ithaca, NY 14850

Services Schedule

Saturdays: Great Vespers 6PM

Sundays and Weekday Services: Orthros (Matins): 8:45 AM | Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


St. Catherine the Great Martyr of Sinai in the First Tone

Let us praise now with hymns the distinguished bride of Christ, and the protectress of Sinai, our assistance in need, and our comforting support, godly Katherine.  For she has brilliantly made mute the unrighteous ones of wit, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and being crowned as a martyr, she pleads on our behalf for God's great mercy.

Την πανεύφημον νύμφην Χριστού υμνήσωμεν, Αικατερίναν την θείαν και πολιούχον Σινά, την βοήθειαν ημών και αντίληψιν ότιεφήμωσε λαμπρώς τους κομψούς των ασεβών του Πνεύματος τηv dynamin, και νυν ως μάρτυς στεφθείσα, αιτείται πάσι το μέγα έλεος.


Seasonal Kontakion in the First Tone

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying and the napkin, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
March 10

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

Allsaint
March 10

Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Corinth during the reign of the Emperor Valerian (253-260).

Allsaint
March 10

Anastasia of Alexandria

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Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).
St. Gregory Palamas
Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th century

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Prayer List

 

AILING:  Anthoula Epthimiatos, Kate Cushing, Madelyn, and all victims of war and violence, natural disasters, and epidemics.  

 

REPOSED: Evan Dentes, All victims of war and violence, natural disasters, and epidemics.

 

IN NEED : Mavis Marquez, Genevieve Castillo, Gerard Castillo

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This Week's Events

Today

Meatfare Sunday
8:45am Orthros
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Philoptochos Bake Sale Meeting following coffee hour

 

Saturday March16, 2024

2nd Saturday of Souls
8:45am Orthros
10:00am Divine Liturgy with Memorial Service
5:00pm Choir Practice
6:00pm Great Vespers & Confessions

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Announcements


 Confession: Fr. Stephen is available for the sacrament of Confession on Saturdays after Great Vespers or by appointment.  All are encouraged to go to Confession especially during Great Lent as it is a time for repentance.

 

 

 

Saturday of Souls: We will be having the 3 traditional Saturday of Souls as Great Lent approaches.  Names of departed loved ones may be submitted to Fr. Stephen and he will read them at each of the Memorial Services on those days.  Forms are available in the Narthex.  See the March parish calendar for the schedule of services.

 

 

 

Calendar: The March parish calendar is available on the handout table and on the website.  Please take one and stay informed of parish services and events.

 

 

 

Salutations: We will be having the Salutations to the Theotokos Services at 7:00pm on Fridays during Great Lent.

 

 

 

Flowers: Donations for flowers to decorate icons for the Salutations/Akathist Services and for the feastday of Annunciation are greatly appreciated.  Also needed will be the tray of daffodils for the Sunday of the Holy Cross.  Please send donations to the church office or see Fr. Stephen for specific requests.

Stewardship: All are encouraged to make a stewardship pledge for 2024.  Forms are available in the narthex and can be submitted to the church office.  Thank you to all who have supported our parish with their time, talent, and treasure.

 


Sunday of Orthodoxy: The first Sunday of Great Lent is the Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 24th this year.  We will have the traditional procession of icons on that day at the end of Divine Liturgy.  All children of our parish are encouraged to bring an icon from home to participate in the procession.

 

 

 

Choir: Practices are now held on Saturdays at 5:00pm.  All are welcomed to join.  See our Choir Director, Steve Hoskins, for information.

 

 

 

Votive Candles: Our new votive candles are $10 each and have a glass outer shell with a plastic inner shell.  Please do not remove the glass shells from the church as we will reuse them.

 

 

 

Sunday School: Children are to go to class in the upstairs classroom after Holy Communion. Please see Emeline Mandeville for information.

 

Fundraising Committee: New members are welcome to join the Fundraising Committee and help our parish with new ideas to support our ministries.  If interested, please contact Steve Hoskins.

 

 

 

Coffee Hour: All are welcome to have refreshments and fellowship in the hall following services. Please help by signing up on the board in the hall to host a coffee hour. We thank Philoptochos for organizing our fellowships.

 

 

 

Livestream: Watch our Sunday services on our YouTube channel "Saint Catherine GOC Ithaca" if you cannot make it in person. Past services are also available to watch. Our direct link is:
https://www.youtube.com/@saintcatherinegocithaca222/streams

 

 

 

Prayer Lists: Please let us know if there is anyone you would like us to pray for as a community. Names can be submitted to Fr. Stephen.

 

 

 

Philoptochos: 
“ I will show you my faith by my works.”

 

                James  2:18

 

 

 

Thank you to all who attended  our Philoptochos Dinner with old and new friends, at Souvlaki House last evening!

 

Philoptochos Membership drive is underway!

 

 HELP US TO GROW! Help us achieve our mission is to

 

 "help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities, and the victims of disasters.”

 

We do so locally giving to 21 local agencies,

 

throughout Tompkins and Cortland counties. We also give to National and International relief and disaster through our Fund Raising efforts.

HOW DO YOU JOIN? Please contact Sophia Georgiou King and
 Angela Teeter for membership details.

 

Call or email:

 

(607) 3396107  sophia.georgiou47@gmail.com

 

(315) 406-1521 angelah@ymail.com

 

    Suggested donation to join is $25

Operation Classroom Initiative:

 

   As a National Initiative forms for submission. All outreach documents must be documented ,and submitted, from January. - April 2024, with hopes that our St. Catherine Philoptochos has a project to share with our National Philoptochos. Please be a volunteer in this initiative !

 

Contact Sophia Georgiou King

 

    Philoptochos President at Sophia.georgiou47@ gmail.com with questions and concerns and thank you.

 

*Flyers will be available at front table.

 

GREAT LENT 2024

 

Philoptochos will be collecting, each Sunday of Lent, certain non perishable food items and toiletries, to help those in need, in our parish and through the local Salvation Army Food Pantry.

 

On March 24th, each member of our parish is asked to bring a can of soup and one can of tunafish (or more) to help those in need.

 

Each Sunday of Lent we will be collecting different items. Our Parish hopes to collect 20-50 items each Sunday. More information will follow.

 

This effort is directly connected the Gospel commandments to feed the hungry and help the poor. The items we collect are important, but the love we show to in giving is equally important.

 

The drive will start on the 1st Sunday - March 24th

 

A designated box to drop off items will be in the church hall.

 

 

 

 Thank you for joining our effort to collect food, household and personal items for those in need. A blessed Great Lent to all!

 

 

 

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