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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-12-08
Bulletin Contents
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Parish News & Events
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
CHRISTMAS EVENTS
Bowedwoman
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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (201) 652-4774 for emergencies: 201 870 2676
  • Fax:
  • (201) 652-0789
  • Street Address:

  • 467 Grandview Avenue

  • Wyckoff, NJ 07481

Contact Information

Reverend Basil C. Gikas
Pastor

frbill@stnicholasnj.org | 201 652 4774 ext. 12

Ms. Rula Thasites
Administrator

office@stnicholasnj.org | 201 652 4774 ext. 10

Services Schedule

 

Sundays in the fall, winter & spring:

Matins: 9 a.m. &  Divine Liturgy 10a.m. except during the summer

 

Summer hours for Sundays in July and August:

Matins: 8:30a.m.  & Divine Liturgy 9:30a.m.

Past Bulletins


Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

The Celebration of the Feast of Saint Nicholas

12/07/2019

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, presided at the Archieratical Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas in Flushing, NY, perhaps the largest parish of the Archdiocese, where many hundreds of faithful came to worship.
https://www.goarch.org/-/the-celebrationof-the-feast-of-saint-nicholas

Meeting of the Joint Commission of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches in the United States

12/05/2019

NEW YORK – Representatives of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches met Dec. 4, at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
https://www.goarch.org/-/meeting-of-the-joint-commission-of-eastern-and-oriental-orthodox-churches-in-the-united-states

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the Feast of St. Nicholas

12/02/2019

The name of Saint Nicholas brings joy to people around the world as nearly a synonym for love and generosity. Even more does his name evoke reverence and delight among Orthodox Christians, who know the wondrous deeds God worked through His servant. By the power of Christ within, Saint Nicholas fought injustice, raised the dead, healed the sick, and supplied the needs of the flock under his care. In these wonders we rejoice.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archiepiscopal-encyclical-for-the-feast-of-st-nicholas
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Parish News & Events

WEEKLY BULLETIN

12/08/2019

 

December 8, 2019          10th Sunday of Luke       

 

Orthros: 9:00A.M.

Epistle: Ephesians: 4:1-7 (pg. 1336)

Divine Liturgy: 10:00A.M.

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17 (pg.1220)

 

 

Acolytes: James Gougousis, Alexandros Christakos, Connor O’Neill, Michael Maris  Damon Servidio, Jr.

 

Ushers: Paul Goulet, Nick Tselepis,
Nick Karras

 

 

Narthex: Evans Agrapidis, Claire Melissas, George Bayiokos

 

 

Epistle Reading: Christos Agrapidis

 

Greeter:  Philoptochos


  Fellowship Hour: AHEPA

 

 



 
     

 

40 day mother and infant blessing:  We welcome into the church for the traditional motherhood and infant blessing, Ioannis Panagiotis Theodorou, the son of Alex and Valerie (Savidis). Congratulations!

Tray Collection:  for the victims of the major earthquake in albania


Parish Council Elections: Elections for members of the Parish Council 2020-22 will be held today, December 8th in the Conference room adjacent to the parish office; after Divine Liturgy but beginning no earlier than 11:45a.m. and concluding at 1:30pm. The candidates are: John Tsadilas, Angelo Lefer, George Bayiokos, Dino Aletras, and Anton Ayvas. The Parish Council members whose terms have expired and are not seeking reelection are: Elizabeth Koykas and Claire Melissas. The election committee members are: Ted Vittas, Chris, Nonas, and Andrew Bacalakis.   ABSENTEE BALLOTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR. 

 

Young Emerging Adults (YEA): Next gathering is tomorrow, Monday, December 9th at 7:30pm at the home of Irene and Anton Ayvas. All young people ages 18-40 are invited! Contact Irene Ayvas iayvas@yahoo.com

Metropolis of NJ:Todayis theAnnual Christmas Tree Lighting/Open House at our Greek Orthodox Metropolis of NJ at 5:30pm - 9:00pm   215 East Grove Street Westfield, NJ   Tel: 908 301 0500

 

Church Service: On Thursday, December 12th the feast of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker will be celebrated with 9:00am Orthros & 10:00am Divine Liturgy.

Bookstore: Music CD for Christmas: Romeiko Ensemble “Christ Comes from Heaven” Nativity Orthros (Matins) in English Traditional Orthodox Christmas HYMNS ($15).

 

 

 

 

 

 

yes! we ARE Fasting Before ChristmasFasting is an essential part of our spiritual preparation and edification. Yet, there are many different (and sometimes conflicting messages) regarding fasting. Please bear this in mind: From November 15th through December 24th Orthodox Christians observe a 40 day period of abstinence from animal & dairy products and olive oil. The ascetic discipline prepares us for a major feast- the Lord’s birth-Christmas. By controlling ourselves in what we eat, what we say, what we give to others (charity, stewardship, etc.) we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord. Without the discipline of the fast, the joyful experience of the feast is minimized. Fasting is not punishment. Note that fish is permitted except for Wednesdays and Fridays through December 11th. From December 12th through Christmas Eve, the fast is stricter every day- fruits, nuts, vegetables, and shell fish allowed but no animal or dairy products of course until Christmas Day. Do the best you can and remember that fasting/abstaining from sin is the greatest fast.

 

 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services

 

Tuesday, December 24:  Christmas Eve    Morning: Orthros and Royal Hours beginning at 9a.m.;

                                                                    Evening: Vesperal Liturgy of Saint Basil at 7p.m

 

Wednesday, December 25:  Christmas Day: Orthros 9a.m. Divine Liturgy 10a.m.

 

For a Limited Time Only! The 50th Anniversary Gala committee is offering the memorabilia DVD for $20/eachand the custom Christmas Ornament for $20/each. The set (1 DVD & 1 Ornament) sells for $35. It makes a great stocking stuffer. Please contact Melissa Gasparis at 201-934-7338.   

 

Our Shut Ins Need Christ Too!  If you are aware of people who cannot come to church for worship or to receive the sacraments and/or they just need a visit from Fr. Bill or our Ladies Philoptochos (or both), please do not wait; contact Fr. Bill ASAP or any Ladies Philoptochos member.

 

Philoptochos News:  Thank you so very much for your generous donations to the Philoptochos Thanksgiving and Christmas food drive. Your kindness made many children and their families very happy.  We hope this season of giving continues all year.

 

 

 

DOP: The Daughters of Penelope are again selling Kontos brand Baklava, Moussaka, Tyropitakia and Spanakopitakia as well as Famiglia brand Spiral Shaped “Kihi” with Spinach or Cheese and Bougatsa for your Christmas and New Year Holiday Celebrations. Your pre-paid orders will be accepted until December 8th. Purchases will be ready for pick-up on Dec. 14th and Dec. 15th. Thank you for supporting this fund-raiser!

 

Giving Tree/Mortgage Burning Campaign: byGod’s Graceour parish plans to be mortgage free by 2020- you can help to make it happen! Various giving levels are available: you can leaf your donation, or show your love - donate a dove… be the first on your block to donate a rock…be a hunk and give a tree trunk!   You can memorialize your loved one by donating to the Giving Tree and including a scriptural message. Contact Fr. Bill at 201 652 4774 ext. 12 or frbill@stnicholasnj.org

 

Kali Parea: Kali Parea (the seniors of St. Nicholas) invite you to their Christmas Luncheon, Friday, December 27, 2019 - 12 Noon Primo Amore Bistro, 235 Diamond Ave., Hawthorne, N.J. $25.00 includes an appetizer, a choice of 4 entrees, coffee, tea non-alcoholic beverages, and dessert. Kindly respond and send your check made out to Kali Parea-St. Nicholas to Mr. Bill Milcos, 2A Ward St., Suffern, NY 10901-6812. Thank you. We wish you Peace and Joy as you welcome Christmas and the New Year 2020.

 


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.

SAINT NICHOLAS ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA IN LYCIA in the First Mode

 

The truth of things has revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, you have achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty.  O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Matins Gospel Reading

    Third Orthros Gospel
    The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20

    When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

    After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

    Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

    So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

    Epistle Reading

    Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
    Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
    Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

    The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7.

    Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

    Gospel Reading

    10th Sunday of Luke
    The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17

    At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    So great an evil is envy. For not against strangers only, but even against our own, is it ever warring.
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 40 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

    And yet here He speaks only; whereas elsewhere in many cases He heals by laying on of hands also. But nevertheless none of these things made them meek; rather, while the man was healed, they by his health became worse. For His desire indeed was to cure them before him, and He tried innumerable ways of healing, both by what He did in their presence, and by what He said: but since their malady after all was incurable, He proceeded to the work.
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 40 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

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    Saints and Feasts

    Bowedwoman
    December 08

    10th Sunday of Luke

    Anna2
    December 08

    Forefeast of the Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

    Patapios
    December 08

    Patapius the Righteous of Thebes

    This Saint was from the Thebaid of Egypt and struggled many years in the wilderness. He departed for Constantinople, and having performed many miracles and healings, he reposed in peace in a mountain cave on the Gulf of Corinth, where his holy relics are found incorrupt to the present day.

    Allsaint
    December 08

    Apollo, Tychikos, Sosthenes, Cephas, Epaphroditos, Caesar, & Onesiphoros, Apostles of the 70

    Anna
    December 09

    The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

    According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8).

    Allsaint
    December 09

    The Consecration of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) in the Holy City of Jerusalem

    The majestic Church of the Resurrection, built by Saint Constantine the Great and his mother Helen, was consecrated in the year 336. In the year 614, this edifice was destroyed by the Persians, who set fire to it. Modestus, the Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Theodosius, and later Patriarch of Jerusalem, rebuilt the church in 626 and had it reconsecrated. In 637, Jerusalem fell to the Moslems; however, the holy shrines were left intact. But in 934, on the Sunday of Pascha, the Saracens set fire to part of this church. Again in 969, the Moslems set fire to the dome of the church, plundered all the sacred objects that were found therein, and surrendered John IV, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to the flames. In 1010, the Moslems, under Hakim the Mad, Caliph of Egypt, destroyed the church to its foundations, but in 1028, by the mediation of Emperor Romanus III Argyrus of Constantinople, the church began to be rebuilt on a more modest scale. This third edifice was completed and reconsecrated in 1048. In 1099, the crusaders took Jerusalem and ruled there for eighty-eight years, and during this time they made certain changes in the structure, which, for the most part, has remained unaltered ever since (See also Sept. 13).
    Allsaint
    December 09

    Hannah the Righteous, mother of Samuel the Prophet

    Allsaint
    December 09

    Narses the Martyr of Persia

    Anna
    December 09

    The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

    According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8).

    Allsaint
    December 10

    The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus

    Saint Menas, according to the Synaxaristes, had Athens as his homeland. He was a military officer, an educated man and skilled in speech, wherefore he was surnamed Kallikelados ("most eloquent"); Eugraphus was his scribe. Both had Christian parents. The Emperor Maximinus (he was the successor of Alexander Severus, and reigned from 235 to 238) sent Saint Menas to Alexandria to employ his eloquence to end a certain strife among the citizens. Saint Menas, having accomplished this, also employed his eloquence to strengthen the Christians in their faith, which when Maximinus heard, he sent Hermogenes, who was an eparch born to unbelievers to turn Menas away from Christ. But Hermogenes rather came to the Faith of Christ because of the miracles wrought by Saint Menas. Saints Menas, Eugraphus, and Hermogenes received the crown of martyrdom in the year 235.

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    CHRISTMAS EVENTS

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