Announcements

REOPENING FOR WORSHIP

This past Sunday was the first time in two and a half months that we were able to physically worship together in the church. It was a wonderful sight to see faithful in the pews. The protocols for gathering were well received and went off without a hitch. We thank everyone who attended.

That being said, we know that there are many who still do not feel comfortable gathering in a crowd. This is understandable and does not reflect ones commitment to Christ and His Church. We pray the day will come soon when we will be able to more comfortably gather.

If you have any questions about the reopening, do not hesitate to contact Fr. Tom by phone or email. You can find the reopening protocol and information on our website. Please share this information with those you know who do not use email or are not on our contact list.

WATCH ONLINE

Though our parish is open for worship, we will continue to live stream the services. You can go directly to www.youtube.com/TransGOC or www.facebook.com/transchurch to participate. A weekly list of services can be found on our website www.transchurch.org.

For those who do not have internet and are Comcast customers, you can watch services on local cable access television. Please consult your local listings for times.

OUR LIFE ONLINE

Though the church will be open for worship, many will not feel comfortable attending, but would still like to light a candle or support the parish. We thank everyone for their continued generosity and encourage your continued use of our secure online giving platform.

1) Lighting a vigil candle. Please contact the Pat Mahoney (pmahoney7@comcast.net or 978 436 0998) or the church office (info@transchurch.org or 978-458-4321). Pat will make sure that your vigil candle is lit. Donation: $10. As with all donations, you can still mail in a check or you can make a donation online at www.transchurch.churchgiving.com . This site keeps your information safe and secure.

2) Making your donations. We welcome all of your donations online. You are able to make your stewardship, offering basket, candle, memorial, or general donations by using the website above. Your donations help support the ministries of the parish. Although you may not be in the church building, the essential ministries of the parish continue.

3) Our worship can still be found online. We all know it is not the same, but it is the best way to help those who are not comfortable or are unable to attend. Hopefully soon we will all be able to gather, but until then we welcome you to our live steaming of services. We hope to continue to provide live streaming of services as we begin to reopen the parish. If you choose not to attend, please continue to participate online.

4) Many have found comfort in being able to participate in the worship of our parish during this extraordinary time. Even though we have opened the parish for worship we hope to continue this ministry. We would need to invest in some new technology. If you are interested in supporting this ministry financially or participating in the production aspect, please speak with Fr. Tom.

PARISH OFFICE IS REMOTE

Our parish office is currently open remotely from 9 am to 2 pm. If you need to come to the office, please call and set up an appointment. It may take a little longer to provide you with some of the information, but we will strive to do so in a timely fashion.

METROPOLIS AWARDS SUNDAY, JUNE 14 AT 7PM

The parish is honored to celebrate the contributions of Evanthia Dukakis as this year’s Metropolis of Boston Award recipient. The awards will be presented this evening through a Virtual Award Ceremony. You can watch the program online by going to www.boston.goarch.org and clicking the link. Congratulations Eva!

PURCHASE A TICKET FOR THE DINNER AND DONATE 7 MEALS!

The Metropolis of Boston has teamed up with Lombardo’s to provide meals to Healthcare Workers and those in need. By purchasing a ticket for the Award Dinner your $75 donation will provide 7.5 meals. To date the Metropolis has received donations to provide nearly 3000 meals. The goal is to provide 5000. Please honor our recipient, Eva Dukakis, by donating a ticket. Go to www.boston.goarch.org and follow the prompts.

BECOME A ‘TRANSFIGURATION ANGEL’ AND TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE LIVES

For the past 6 weeks 52 households have participated in the Transfiguration Angels Initiative. For the next 4 weeks, on Sunday evening, Fr. Tom will send out an email with a target charity and each one will make a donation to that particular charity. Sometimes we will have to send in checks and other times we may be able to donate online directly to the charity or organization. The amount of the donation is not the target, but increasing the number of individuals and families who participate each week and our consistency in giving. Working together we will be able to make an impact on others lives and at the same time open our hearts to the love of our Resurrected Lord. Join the 51 households that have participated in the Transfiguration Angel Initiative. Make a difference.

With each donation, you are encouraged to include a simple note. “I(We) am(are) from the Transfiguration Church in Lowell. Please accept this donation and (my)our prayers for good health and continued good works.” Additionally, we ask that you send Fr. Tom an email (frtom@transchurch.org) each week telling him that you sent a donation, not the amount, only that you participated.

Remember, we will be making donations each week, so plan your giving accordingly. A donation of $5, $10, $25 or more, together with the donations of all the other Transfiguration Angels, will certainly have a positive impact on the lives of so many, many more. What you give is totally up to you and dependent on your current financial situation.

Donations made by the Transfiguration Angels so far consist of: Week 1 to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, week 2 to the Merrimack Valley

Catholic Charities, week 3 to Life Connections, week 4 to St. Paul's Soup Kitchen, week 5 Dracut Food Pantry, week 6 The Wish Project. Be sure to watch for the Sunday email from Fr. Tom to see what week 7 will be.

HELLENIC WOMEN’S CLUB, INC. SCHOLARSHIP

The Hellenic Women's Club, Inc., EOK, is offering scholarships to young women of Greek descent pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, will be awarded based on academic achievement, leadership and community service.

The application deadline is June 30, 2020. For more details and application materials, visit The Hellenic Women’s Club’s website: www.hellenicwomensclub.org To access EOK Scholarship Application materials on the website: click on the What We Do tab at the top of the Homepage and then click on the EOK Scholarships tab section.

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

During this time of crisis, we need to take care of one another, friends, family, and stranger. If you, or anyone you know, is having difficulties because of the COVID-19 crisis, please let us know. We know that there are those who would never think of asking facing financial difficulties. We will help as we are able.

To enable us to offer help, if you are able, we welcome your donations. You can send a donation to the church or go online and donate. Go to www.transchurch.churchgiving.com, sign in and click on the Outreach Donation button and make your one-time or recurring donation. Large or small, your donation can make a difference. Thank you in advance.

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, accept our offerings as You accepted the gifts of Your people throughout the ages. We offer these gifts to Your glory, for the support of the ministries of Your holy Church, for the alleviation of suffering and hunger, and for the proclamation of Your Gospel to the whole world.

Grant us Your blessing, Lord our Savior, that we may always be faithful stewards, continuing to share the gifts you have given us, by the power of Your grace, mercy and love. May Your name be glorified forever. Amen.

Trinity votive candles (To Sponsor a Candle please call the Church Office.)

†Vigil Light at the Side Altar (Icon of the Theotokos): In memory of Amalea Karayianis from her Philoptochos sisters

†Vigil Light at the Icon of Christ: In Loving Memory of Deborah Victoria Skrekas and George Skrekas

†Vigil Light at the Theotokos: In Loving Memory of Ioannis "John" Zaralidis from his family

†Vigil Light at the Icon of the Forerunner: Available

†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: With our congratulations and best wishes for continued good health to Eva Dukakis, this year’s Laity Award recipient. Transfiguration Church Family & Philoptochos Sisters

Weekly Calendar

We will be live streaming services through our YouTube channel whenever possible - www.youtube.com/TransGOC Please see the online calendar for the full schedule.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 ALL SAINTS
Orthros (online), 8:30 am
Liturgy (online), 9:30 am
1 Year Memorial for Thelma Coravos
Monthly Trisagion
2020 Virtual Metropolis Ministry Awards Recognition, 7:00 pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 21 SECOND SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
Orthros (online), 8:30 am
Liturgy (online), 9:30 am
Father's Day
Graduate Sunday

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2.

Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Gospel Reading

The Sunday of All Saints
The Reading is from Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30

The Lord said to his disciples, "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on high you descended, O merciful Lord. You accepted the cross and three days in the tomb to free us from the bondage of sin, O our life and resurrection. Glory to you, O Lord.

Apolytikion for All Saints in the Fourth Mode

Throughout the world your Church is adorned with the blood of the martyrs as with royal purple and fine linen. Through them she cries out to you, Christ our God: Grant your lasting peace to all the world and bestow on our souls your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Prophet Elisseus in the Fourth Mode

O Angelic of body, pillar of the Prophets and their corner-stone, the forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ, the venerable and glorious Elijah, thou didst send grace from on high to Elisha to dispel sicknesses and to purify lepers. Wherefore, he ever overfloweth with healing to those who honour him.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, O Lord, Creator of the universe, the world offers the God-bearing martyrs as the first fruits of creation. Through their prayers, and through those of the Theotokos, keep your church in perfect peace, O Savior rich in mercy.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For in a contest there is much labor needed--and after the contest victory falls to some, to others disgrace. Is the palm ever given or the crown granted before the course is finished? ... Therefore no one can receive a reward, unless he has striven lawfully; nor is the victory a glorious one, unless the contest also has been toilsome.

St. Ambrose of Milan

Chapter 15, Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy, 4th century

AT all times indeed, but especially then when I reflect upon the achievements of the saints, it comes over me to feel despondency concerning my own condition, because we have not even in dreams experienced the things among which those men spent their whole lives, not paying the penalty of sins, but always doing rightly and yet always afflicted...For "God" (he says) "has provided some better thing for us." In order that they might not seem to have the advantage of us from being crowned before us, He appointed one time of crowning for all; and he that gained the victory so many years before, receives his crown with thee. Seest thou His tender carefulness?

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 28 on Hebrews 11, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

June 14

Methodius the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

As for Saint Methodius, he was born to wealthy parents in Syracuse of Sicily about the end of the eighth century. Being a presbyter, he was sent as an ambassador to Rome in 815 or 816 on behalf of Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople, who had been exiled by Leo the Armenian (see June 2). After Leo's death, he returned to Constantinople; but since he was a zealot for the veneration of the holy icons, he was immediately exiled by Emperor Michael the Stutterer to a fortress near Bithynia. When Michael died, he was freed for a short time; but then, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he was imprisoned again by the Emperor Theophilus in a dark and foul-smelling sepulcher. Since this was not enough for the Emperor's inhumanity, he commanded that two thieves be shut up with Methodius, and when one of them died, that the corpse not be removed. While the Saint was imprisoned there, a certain poor fisherman ministered to his needs. Finally, when the Church received its freedom under Saint Theodora the Empress, the Saint ascended the patriarchal throne of Constantinople in 842. Together with the holy Empress, Methodius restored the holy icons to their proper honor; this is commemorated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. He governed the Church of Constantinople for four years, and reposed in 846.

June 14

The Holy Prophet Elisseus (Elisha)

The Prophet Elisseus, the son of Saphat, was from the town of Abel-me-oul and had been a husbandman. In the year 908 B.C., at God's command, the Prophet Elias anointed him to be Prophet in his stead. This happened while Elisseus was plowing his land, having twelve oxen under yoke. Straightway, Elisseus slew the oxen and cooked them, using the wooden plough and the other instruments of husbandry as firewood; then he gave the oxen as food to the people. Bidding farewell to his parents, he followed Elias and served him until the latter was taken up as it were into Heaven (see July 20). When Elisseus received his teacher's mantle and the grace of his prophetic spirit twofold, he demonstrated whose disciple he was through the miracles he wrought and through all that is related of him in the Fourth Book of Kings. He departed full of days and was buried in Samaria, about the year 839 B.C. But even after his death God glorified him; for after the passage of a year, when some Israelites were carrying a dead man for burial and suddenly saw a band of Moabites, they cast the dead man on the grave of the Prophet. No sooner had the dead man touched the Prophet's bones, than he came to life and stood on his feet (IV Kings 13:20-21). Mentioning this, Jesus the Son of Sirach says, "He did wonders in his life, and at his death his works were marvelous" (Ecclus. 48:14). It is because of such marvels that the faithful have reverence for the relics of the Saints (see also Jan. 16). His name means "God is savior."

June 15

Amos the Prophet

The Prophet Amos was from the city of Thekoue of the land of Zabulon. He was an unlearned man, a shepherd of goats and sheep, as he testifies concerning himself (Amos 7:14-15). He began to prophesy two years before the earthquake, which some say took place in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Ozias, King of Judah, about the year 785 B.C. (Amos 1:1). Later, however, Amasias, the false priest of Bethel, brought about his death. His book of prophecy, divided into nine chapters, is ranked third among the minor Prophets. This Amos is different from the Prophet Esaias' father, who also was called Amos. His name means "bearer of burdens.

June 16

Tychon the Wonderworker

This Saint was born of pious Christian parents and flourished in the fifth century. Because of his piety and purity of life he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Amathus, and later was made Bishop of Amathus by the great Epiphanius (see May 12). He worked many signs and wonders and turned many from the worship of idols unto Christ. Once he planted a vine in the ground and it wondrously sprouted and brought forth ripe grapes. After his death, on his annual feast-day on June 16, it being yet early in the season, that vine would be laden with unripe grapes, as is natural; but as the Divine Liturgy began, the grapes would begin to darken, and by the end of it, they would be fully ripened. The third of the Vespers stichera in the Menaion service to Saint Tychon alludes to this yearly miracle.

June 17

Isaurus the Holy Martyr & his Companions of Athens

The holy Martyr Isaurus, a deacon, and Basil and Innocent were from Athens. In the reign of Numerian (283-284), they came to Apollonia (most likely, the city in Illyricum); there encountering Felix, Peregrinus, and Hermias hidden in a cave, they strengthened them in their Faith. Betrayed to Tripontius the Proconsul, all but Isaurus and Innocent were beheaded; these last two Tripontius gave over to his son, Apollonius, who tormented them, and then had them beheaded.

June 18

Leontius, Hypatius, & Theodulus the Martyrs of Syria

This Martyr was from Greece. Being of great bodily stature and strength, he was an illustrious soldier in the Roman legions who had won many victories, and was known for his prudence and sobriety of mind. When it was learned that he gave grain to the poor from the imperial stores, and was moreover a Christian, Hadrian the Governor of Phoenicia sent Hypatius, a tribune, and Theodulus, a soldier, to arrest him. Saint Leontius converted them on the way to Tripolis in Phoenicia, where Hypatius and Theodulus were tormented and beheaded by Hadrian for their confession of Christ. Then Hadrian with many flatteries and many torments strove to turn Leontius from Christ. All his attempts failing, he had Leontius put to such tortures that he died in the midst of them, under Vespasian in the year 73.

June 19

Thaddeus (Jude) the Apostle & Brother of Our Lord

The Apostle Jude was of the choir of the Twelve, and by Luke was called Jude, the brother of James the Brother of God (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), and therefore also a kinsman of the Lord according to His humanity. But by Matthew (10:3), he is called Lebbaeus, surnamed Thaddeus (he is not the Thaddeus who healed the suffering of Abgar, as Eusebius says in his Eccl. Hist., 1:13; see Aug. 21). Saint Jude preached in Mesopotamia, Arabia, Idumea, and Syria, and, it is said, completed the path of his divine apostleship by martyrdom in Beirut in the year 80. Written after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, his is the last of the Catholic (General) Epistles to the believing Jews in the Diaspora. His name (a variant of Judah) means "Praise."

June 20

Methodios the Martyr, Bishop of Olympus

Because of his wisdom and virtue, this Saint was surnamed Eubulus ("of good counsel"). He was an eminent theologian and one of the first to oppose and refute the heretical writings of Origen. According to Jerome (De vir. ill., 83) and Socrates the historian (Eccl. Hist., 6:13), he was bishop, not of Patara (as a sixth century work by Leontius the Byzantine wrongly asserts), but of Olympus in Lycia, and later, of Tyre in Phoenicia. It appears he was called Bishop of Patara by later writers because his famous dialogue concerning the resurrection takes place in that city. He underwent a glorious death as a martyr in Chalkis of Greece in the year 311, under Emperor Maximinus. Among his extant writings is one called Symposium of Virgins.

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