The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
After the Divine Liturgy please join us for fellowship at our Fall Mini-Festival.
We welcome our visitors today. Our ushers are also here to welcome you. Please visit Fr. George with any questions you may have.
You are welcome to participate in today’s service, however, the reception of Holy Communion is only given to Orthodox Christians, who have prepared themselves by fasting and periodic confession, and have not separated themselves from the Church.
If you are a visiting Orthodox Christian from another parish, please be sure to identify yourself when approaching the chalice. Everyone should give their baptismal name to the priest, when approaching the chalice.
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.
8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy Sunday Before Holy Cross
11:00AM Greek School/Sunday School/Hope&Joy Registration
6:30PM Great Vespers for The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
7:15PM Parish Council Meeting (Cancelled due to impending weather)
9:00AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
4:00PM Hope/Joy begins
5:00PM Great Vespers
8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy Sunday After Holy Cross
12:00PM Agiasmos for All Youth Ministries
Greek School: Dr. George Lountos (Principal). Contact: email: gtlountos@gmail.com or cell: 404-375-3180.
HOPE & JOY Ministry: Please email Christina Summers for details. Contact: email: Mrs.Summers@aol.com
Religious Education: Despina Horst (Interim Principal): horst7213@aol.com. Lessons begin after Holy Communion. We encourage our youth to participate in Sunday School, to learn and live the life of our Holy Orthodox Faith.
Kali Parea: This ministry is for adults 50 years and older. Come and join us! Contact: Bess Koutras, email: kikikoutras@yahoo.com or cell: 240-409-1431.
St. Eugenia Ladies Philoptochos: – Mrs. Marie Carras, President. All in the Parish are encouraged to be members of the Philoptochos Society. Contact: cell: 301-524-7246 or email mmcarras@aol.com
Fellowship: Sue Manos coordinates Sunday Coffee Hour hosts. Please contact Sue if you are interested in hosting a Coffee Hour. Cell: 301-401-5115 or email: suem11@comcast.net
Agiasmos for All Youth Ministries will be held today to bless the children for the new year.
Youth Ministries Registration continues today, Youth Ministries will have a sign-up desk for each ministry located in the Dr. Tsaknis Social Hall. We are looking forward to seeing a renewal of the love of Christ in our Youth.
Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, October 2nd. We'll be studying scripture based on the lectionary. Registration is required, so please contact Fr. George if you're interested in participating.
We will be offering a 3 Session Orthodoxy 101 Refresher Course on Saturday's (October 13th, 20th and 27th). Rediscover the the fullness of our faith by brushing up on the liturgical cycle, books, and vessels as well as Bible basics and Orthodox Theology. The course will conclude with a Teaching Divine Liturgy, where at certain points the Divine Liturgy will be paused for explanation. Registration is required, so please contact Fr. George if you're interested in participating.
Gyro Days Mini Festival: – will be ending the 11th. Please come and join us for lunch following the Divine Liturgy.
If you are interested in advertising in the "The Greeting" please contact Fr. George for further details. Advertisements support our effort to print and mail the newsletter to parishioners and friends who cannot access the electronic format.
Fall Mini Festival - begins next week!