Sunday Schedule:
Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.
Bible Study:
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY, APRIL 18
Children in Group B will attend class after communion.
LENTEN WORSHIP
This coming week we will gather on Monday for Compline at 6:30pm and on Wednesday for Pre-sanctified Liturgy at 6 pm. Because this is the last week of Great Lent there is no service on Friday evening. On Saturday, April 24, we commemorate the Saturday of Lazarus. Following services we invite you to join us as we prepare palms for Palm Sunday. During these challenging times the calm of worship will help us deal the anxiety, loneliness, and despair that has filled our lives. All services will be live-streamed on www.YouTube.com/transgoc.
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.
THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL
How are you doing with your 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 are available 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 1st.
PHILOPTOCHOS SPECIAL LENTEN PROJECT
The three aspects of Great Lent are prayer, fasting, and works of charity. We pray that you will join the Philoptochos Society in our charity project this year.
Since we have not been able to provide monthly meals to the House of Hope since the start of the pandemic, we would like to provide them with some of the items that they need at this time: New/gently used children’s clothing, size 2T through 14/16; Size 6 diapers; and Baby wipes.
Or if you prefer, you may purchase an snacks and other items from their Amazon wish list or donate an Amazon gift card.
Please bring your donations to church during scheduled services on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, or Palm Sunday, April 25th.
Please email Cindy Rios at cerios331@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support!
SEEKING AGAPE SERVICE READERS
On Easter Sunday, May 2, we celebrate the Agape Vesper Service. During this service we offer the Gospel reading in as many languages as possible. This reminds us that the proclamation of Christ’s resurrection was made throughout the whole world. If you read a language other than Greek and English and would like to participate at the service by reading the Gospel, please speak with Fr. Tom. We welcome your participation.
WATCH SERVICES ONLINE
Please accept our apologies for the technical difficulties we have experience this past week. We are optimistic that we have resolved the issues and 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 John C. Anton
†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: Heavenly Father we thank you for the blessings †Irene and Demetrios Manelas
Great Lent and Holy Week 2021
Grecian Food Fest - Drive Thru
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, April 18 SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
1 Year Memorial for Efstratios Gavriil
1 Year Memorial for Anthi Gavrill
Sunday School Group B
Monday, April 19
Compline, 6:30
Wednesday, April 21
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 24
Saturday of Lazuras
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
Sunday, April 25 PALM SUNDAY
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
Sunday School Group C
Bridegroom Service, 6:30 pm
Monday, April 26 Holy Monday
Bridegroom Service, 6:30pm
April 27 Holy Tuesday
Bridegroom Service (Hymn of Kassiani), 6:30pm
April 28 Holy Wednesday
Holy Unction Service, 3:00pm (Children Encouraged to Attend)
Bridegroom Service & Anointing with Holy Unction, 6:30pm
April 29 Holy Thursday
Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil, 9:30am
Service of the Holy Passion (The 12 Gospels), 6:30pm
April 30 Holy Friday
Service of the Royal Hours, 9:00am
Apokathilosis Service (Burial Service), 3:00pm
Lamentations, 6:30pm
May 1 Holy Saturday
Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil, 9:30am (Children Encouraged to Attend)
Paschal Vigil, 11:15pm
TODAY’S PARISH COUNCIL: Christian Zouzas, Chuck Nestor & Costas Tsioulis
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, May 2
PASCHA
Resurrection Service, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy, 12:00am
Agape Vespers, 11:30am
Monday, May 3
St. George - Liturgy at St. George
Wednesday, May 5
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.
BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45
At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
When You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, You showed Your disciples Your glory as far as they could bear. So now, for us sinners also, let this same eternal light shine forth through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Giver of Light, glory to You.
This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth and became a disciple of Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see Nov. 20). After his elder, Saint Gregory, reposed (in the first half of the ninth century), he came to Jerusalem and finally reposed in peace in the Monastery of Saint Chariton.
All that is known concerning this Saint is that he was a bishop and that he suffered many torments by fire, the sword, and wild beasts.
Saint Theodore who was from Constantinople, was born to parents who were pious and of means. He took up the monastic life in a monastery in the imperial city, and wore nought but a rough hair shirt for all his life, from whence also he received his name. He reposed in the late fourth, or early fifth century. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer composed a canon in his honour.
These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Campania of Italy, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Timothy was Proconsul. Saint Januarius was the Bishop of Benevento in Campania; he was arrested and taken to Nola, where he was cast into a burning furnace, from which he came forth unharmed; at Puteoli, together with Proculus, Sosius, and Faustus the deacons, Desiderius, reader of the Church of Benevento, and Eurychius and Acutius, nobles from Puteoli, he was cast to wild beasts, which as they came near the Saints, fell affectionately at their feet. Finally they were all beheaded, about the year 305.
Saint Theodore was born out of wedlock in Sykeon, a village of Galatia in Asia Minor. From his childhood, he was under the protection and guidance of the holy Great Martyr George, who often appeared to him, and was as it were his trainer in the hard ascetical discipline which he took upon himself all his life. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he became a monk in his native Galatia. About 584 he was ordained Bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia, where he shepherded his flock for ten years. After this, he asked to be allowed to be relieved of the duties of governing the diocese. His request was granted but he was commanded to retain his rank as bishop. Saint Theodore was a great worker of miracles, and also received from God the power to cast out even the most obstinate demons, who called him "Iron-eater" because of his stern way of life. Having passed throughout many regions, worked numerous miracles, and strengthened the faithful in piety, he departed this life in 613.
George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.
His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)
If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.
Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus - whose name is a Hellenized form of "Eleazar," which means "God has helped," became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth." By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, "Where have ye laid his body?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, "Loose him, and let him go." This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.
According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, "Clay stealing clay." His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, "Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."