Announcements

SATURDAY OF SOULS LITURGIES USHER IN GREAT LENT

This coming Saturday, March 20, is the final Saturday of Souls for Great Lent this year. We remember our loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord with Liturgy and Memorial service following. You are encouraged and welcomed to submit names of loved ones who have passed away to be commemorated on this days. For your convenience, a form can be found in the ‘Insert’ section of the bulletin below. You can mail your list of names to the parish office or bring them to church when you attend services. Please feel free to bring a small bowl of Kollyva.

GREAT LENT TO BEGIN MARCH 15

On Monday, March 15, known as Clean Monday, Great Lent begins and with it the Lenten fast begins. Just as important for our spiritual well-being is the increase in services in which we can participate. On Mondays during lent we will gather for Compline service. On Wednesdays, we will gather for Pre-sanctified Liturgy, and on Fridays we offer the Salutations service. Please consult the parish calendar for days and times. This year make a special effort to participate in at least one of each of these services during this Great Lent. These services will help us deal the anxiety, loneliness, and despair that has filled our lives during this past year. All services will be live-streamed on www.YouTube.com/transgoc.

THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL

Often, the image of a three-legged stool is used to help us understand three important aspects of Great Lent, prayer, works of charity, and fasting. Just as each leg of the stool is equally important and provides stability, these three spiritual ‘legs’ provide stability for our spiritual well-being. Too often our sole focus during Great Lent is fasting, but fasting without the works of charity and prayer, is a diet. All three of these are important and require our attention and use.
Especially during this time, it is important for us to find comfort and solace. We are longing for our Lord’s loving embrace and these three spiritual tools open our hearts to Christ.

SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship applications will be available March 15th on-line (transchurch.org) for graduating high school seniors planning on attending college in the fall. For further questions contact Pat Mahoney (pmahoney7@comcast.net) or 978-436-0998. The deadline for applications is May 1^st.

WEEKLY WORSHIP UPDATE

The Transfiguration parish continues to use enhanced protocols in order to gather for worship in a safe manner. When you enter the church, we ask that you follow the direction of the ushers. Everyone must wear a mask. These protocols have been established to help protect and keep safe all who gather for worship. The number of people receiving the vaccine is increasing daily and will allow our faithful to attend with a greater sense of safety. But please, if you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID, or you have underlying health conditions, or are not feeling well, please stay home, watch services online, and stay safe.

CHECK OUT OUR INSERTS AND FLYERS

Weekly, in the section following the announcements you will find inserts and flyers about special events and ministries. Please make sure to check out this section.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Our parish office is currently open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm. Generally, the office is open in person. On Wednesday, it is open remotely. Even though we are open in person, if you need to come to the office, for your safety, please call and set up an appointment.

NEW CAMERA INSTALLED – WATCH SERVICES ONLINE

Through the generosity of the Helene Antonakis estate the parish has installed a live stream camera that will allow us to continue to stream services. Though we hope the learning curve will be short, please bear with us during the next few weeks as we get to know the equipment better. We will soon update other IT equipment to help us more seamlessly stream services.

We will continue to live stream services through YouTube at www.youtube.come/transgoc. A weekly listing of services can be found on our website www.transchurch.org and listed on the calendar found in this bulletin.

HELP ONLINE

Many still do not feel comfortable physically attending services, but would still like to light a candle or support the parish. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated. We encourage your continued use of our secure online giving platform for single or repeating donations, https://transchurch.churchgiving.com. Of course, you are still welcome to mail in a check to make your donation.

1) To light a vigil candle, please contact 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 for you. Donation: $10. As with all donations, you can mail in a check or you can make a donation online.

2) You are able to make your stewardship, weekly basket offering, candle, memorial, special event, or general donations by using our secure website. Your donations help support the ministries of the parish. Although you may not be in the church building, essential ministries of the parish continue.

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 those who have died during the pandemic and for the health of those recovering. - Chuck and Amelia Karayianis

†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: In Loving Memory of Andrew Andricopoulos from Charlie & Maria Tournas

†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: For the Good Health of Peggy Giovane

Weekly Inserts

Saturday of Souls

Saturday of Souls Listing for 2021

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, March 14 FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
Monthly Trisagion
Daylight Savings Time

Monday, March 15
Great Lent Begins
Compline, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, March 17
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm

Friday, March 19
Salutations Service, 6:30 pm

Saturday, March 20
Third Saturday of Souls - Liturgy, 9:30 am

Sunday, March 21 SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
Icon Procession and Service

Monday, March 22
Compline, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, March 24
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am

Thursday, March 25 FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION
Greek Independence Day Doxology and Program following
†Orthros, 7:30 am at Holy Trinity
†Liturgy, 8:30 am at Holy Trinity

TODAY’S PARISH COUNCIL: Bill Arvanites, John Dristilaris & Patricia Mahoney

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 26
Salutations Service, 6:30 pm

March 28
40 Day Memorial for Dorothea "Dottie" Danas

March 29
Compline, 6:30 pm

March 31
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm

April 2
Salutations Service, 6:30 pm

April 5
Compline, 6:30 pm

April 7
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm

April 9
Salutations Service, 6:30 pm

Gospel and Epistle Readings

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 Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By the cross, O Lord, you destroyed death; to the thief you opened paradise. The myrrhbearers' sorrow you transformed into joy, and you sent your apostles forth to proclaim that you had risen from the dead, Christ our God, bestowing on all the world your great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

O you who are the source of all wisdom and discernment, instructor of the ignorant and champion of the poor, strengthen our hearts, O Master, and grant us understanding. O Word of the Father, bring words to our lips, that nothing would keep us from crying out to you: In your compassion have mercy on us, for we have fallen.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Here it were well to sigh aloud, and to wail bitterly: for not only do we imitate the hypocrites, but we have even surpassed them.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

For I know, yea I know many, not merely fasting and making a display of it, but neglecting to fast, and yet wearing the masks of them that fast, and cloaking themselves with an excuse worse than their sin.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

March 14

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

March 15

Holy Apostle Aristobulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain

Saint Aristobulos, the brother of Saint Barnabas, was ordained to be bishop in Britain by the Apostle Paul, who mentions him in his epistle to the Romans (16:10). He suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans, but also brought many to Christ. Having established the Church there, he finally reposed in peace.

March 16

Sabine the Martyr of Egypt

The holy Martyr Sabine was from Hermopolis in Egypt, and was known for his zeal and piety. During the persecution of Diocletian, he concealed himself with other Christians in a small dwelling outside the city. But when he was discovered, and professed his faith in Christ, he was taken before Arian the Governor, and after he had been tortured he was drowned in the river. Concerning Arian the Governor, See also December 14.

March 17

Alexis the Man of God

Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.

March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.

March 19

The Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria

Saint Chrysanthus, who was from Alexandria, had been instructed in the Faith of Christ by a certain bishop. His father, who was a senator by rank and a pagan, had him shut up in prison for many days; then, seeing the unchanging disposition of his mind, he commanded that a certain young woman named Daria be brought from Athens. She was a very beautiful and learned maiden, and also an idolater, and Chrysanthus' father wedded him to her so that he might be drawn away from the Faith of Christ because of his love for her. Instead of this however, Chrysanthus drew Daria unto piety, and both of them boldly proclaimed Christ and received the crown of martyrdom in 283, during the reign of Numerian, when they were buried alive in a pit of mire.

March 20

First Saturday of Lent: The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro

Julian the Apostate, knowing that the Christians purify themselves by fasting most of all during the first week of the Fast -- which is why we call it Clean Week -- planned to defile them especially at that time. Therefore he secretly commanded that during those days the markets be filled with foods that had been defiled with the blood of animals offered in sacrifice to idols. But by divine command the Martyr Theodore (see Feb. 17) appeared during sleep to Eudoxius, then Archbishop of Constantinople. The Saint revealed to him the tyrant's plan, then told him to call the faithful together immediately on Monday morning and prevent them from purchasing those foods, but rather to make kollyva to supply their needs. The bishop asked what kollyva might be, and the Saint answered, "Kollyva is what we call boiled wheat in Euchaita." Thus, the purpose of the Apostate was brought to nought, and the pious people who were preserved undefiled for the whole of Clean Week, rendered thanks to the Martyr on this Saturday, and celebrated his commemoration with kollyva. These things took place in 362. Wherefore, the Church keeps this commemoration each year to the glory of God and the honour of the Martyr.

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