Saturday Vespers
5:00 PM
Sunday Liturgies
9:00AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
Parish Calendar: http://saintgregoryofnyssa.org/parish-calendar
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It is our hope that we will help you learn more about our parish and the Orthodox Christian faith that we confess. At St. Gregory of Nyssa, you will discover an ancient, yet dynamic faith, a warm Church family and even perhaps a spiritual home where you can grow roots and a deep relationship with Christ in the Holy Spirit. Please know that in the Holy Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is given only to those Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and recent Confession. You are welcome to come forward at the end of the Liturgy to be given the Blessed Bread(Antidoron), of which all are blessed to partake, & a blessing from the Priest.
Welcome to our Church Home! We would like to meet you! Please join us at Coffee Hour following the service.
Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the contests of the Martyrs.
Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime. Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl. Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him, especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De vir. ill., ch. CXV).
Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others, 379.
You were shown to have holy vigilance. And your piety was manifest in your teachings, O Hierarch Gregory. For the wisdom of your sacred dogmas gives joy to the fullness of the Church. Righteous Father, to Christ our God do intercede to grant our souls His great redeeming mercy.
15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."
January 2024 Budget: $29,359
Monthly Offering to Date $11,680.1
Remaining Need (Budget minus offering to Date): $17,678.9
2024 Budget: $352,309
2023 Offerings: $11,680.1
2023 Remaining Need: $340,628.9
Living: Costa, Michelle, Gail, Jeanne Leventis, Larry Roach, Olympia, Jan Manos, Adrianne, Tom Crowell, Leilani, Frank, Pamela McVey (Gaye’s Sister), Kyriako, Dori, Elaine, Don Farr, Eliphtheria, Anastasia, Pastor Bala and his Indian flock, Efstratia (Honey), Kristen, Lititia, Diana, TrixAnna, Ortans (Nellie’s Mom in Syria), Elias and Hanna Meamari (Issa’s Folks), Joanne Nichols, Michaila, Barbara Anderson (Fr. Michael’s Mom), Debby, Trevor, Ripley, Ljlijana, Deeann, Gino Volvo, Levi, Hannah, Dick, Kelly, Nicolas, Karen, Sally Farr, Susan, Mandy, Melissa, Demetra, Gaye, Maria Olga, Vernon, Kathern and the Rogers Family, John Findel, Lisa Kotitsa, Christine Fanos, Iris, Elizabeth Terris, Magdalyn, Michael Piliaris, Darin Williams, Cathy Jean Alexander, Our Monasteries and Monastics.
Asleep in the Lord: Khouria Constantine and Eliana Maria Bahou, Mary Koulaxes, Christopher Pekos, Peter Karalambas, John Pertides, Fr. Panayiotis Leventis, Calomira, James (Demetrius) Mastorakis, Evangelina, Warren Cormier, Sally Farr, Margie (Mary) Brock, Soteria (Bunny) Angeles, (Haralambos) Polis, Athina, Mark Mellis, Heidi, Presvytera Kay Eftathiu, Presvytera Despina Leventis, Alexandra, Nicole, Kenn, Archdeacon Joe, Nicholay, Maria Elena, John Angeles, Emanuel, Irene Cantos, Joanne, James and Marika Deemas, Georgia (Sophie) Deemas, George Deemas, Antone (Tony) Broodrookas, Barbara and Patrick Easley, Arthur and Christine Gonos, John, Angelo, Tom Hyatt, Morgan, Bonnie, Salvador, William, Sarah Elizabeth, Penny (Laurie Paschalydis’ Sister), Janis Efstratia, Kosta Stephens
Please let Father know if you have any names that you would like to add to or that are ready to remove from the list.
15th of Luke
9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
St. Ignatius the God Receiver
10:00AM Great Doxology and Liturgy
1:00PM Prayers at Carroll's
6:30PM Great Vespers for the 3 Holy Hierachs
Synaxis of the 3 Holy Hierarchs
Office Closed
9:00AM Matins and Liturgy
Eve of the Presentation
6:30PM Great Festal Vespers
Presentaion of our Lord
9:00AM Festal Matins and Liturgy
Saints Simeon the God Reciever and Anna the Prophettes
10:00AM Great Doxology and Divine Liturgy for Fr. Simeon and Pres. Joy Anna's Patron Saints
5:00PM Great Vespers
6:00PM Confessions, Compline with Prayers of Preparation
15th of Matthew
9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy