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Transfiguration of Our Saviour Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-09-19
Bulletin Contents
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Transfiguration of Our Saviour Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (978) 458-4321
  • Street Address:

  • 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way

  • Lowell, MA 01854
  • Mailing Address:

  • 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way

  • Lowell, MA 01854


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sunday Schedule:

Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study:

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.


Past Bulletins


Announcements

JOIN US FOR THE WELCOME BACK COOKOUT 

Having had limited Sunday School classes and choir, as we begin this new academic year, ‘Welcome Back Sunday’ has never been as meaningful.  Everyone is welcome to join us for a cookout to celebrate Welcome Back Sunday following Liturgy.  There will be plenty of seating, inside and outside (weather permitting). Please be patient as we serve you in the buffet line.  Please note: we will continue to follow CDC guidelines for the health and safety of our faithful. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TO RESUME TODAY SEPTEMBER 19 

We are pleased to announce that in-person Sunday School classes begin today.  The teachers and staff are excited to welcome our students back into the classroom to help them explore and grow in the faith.  Masks will be required in the classroom by staff and students.  

CHOIR NEEDS YOU

Please join us, no experience necessary. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our director, Stephanie Gulezian, at stephaniegulezian@gmail.com, our organist, Marc Gulezian, at mgulezian22@gmail.com or come up to the loft and follow along with us.

NEW WI-FI

Recently new WiFi has been installed in our facility.  Additionally, we have upgraded our internet to help accommodate increased use.  We thank Derik and Eli Piper for installing the hardware.  Log in information is posted throughout the facility.

LOWER PARKING LOT

Recently, the parish entered into an agreement with a management company to lease the lower parking lot for day parking.  The parish is able to use the lot as needed for special events.  Feel free to park in the lower lot on Sundays for services without charge.  We will open the gates at the top of the hill on Sundays.  

COVID PROTOCOLS FOR CHURCH CONTINUE

Especially now with the uptick in COVID cases, as we continue to gather for worship we ask that you follow the CDC guidelines.  Those who are vaccinated, masks are optional.  Those who are not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to continue mask usage to help protect themselves and others, especially our children.  Children 2 years and older are strongly encouraged to wear masks.  You are welcome to seat yourself as you enter the church.  As you move around the facility, please keep social distancing in mind.

We are excited to welcome you back for worship as you feel comfortable.  We are also excited to begin reinstalling many of our ministries and events.  Please offer your assistance as we begin the process of ramping up our calendar.

GRECIAN FOOD FESTIVAL – DRIVE THRU – October 16

After having great success with our ‘Grecian Food Festival – Drive Thru’ event in June, we have scheduled another ‘Drive-Thru Festival’ for October 16.  The committee has already begun preparations.  Details on volunteering, donating, and purchasing will be coming soon.  Order forms have been sent out to the parish and will be distributed in the community.  We have already begun receiving orders.  Get your order for pick up on October 16th in soon.

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.

WATCH SERVICES ONLINE 

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

 

  

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: Dearest Brother John thank you for announcing the light that brings salvation to all those that believe – St. Irene and Demetrios

Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: In Honor of Jimmy Manelas for his birthday from his family

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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, September 19  SUNDAY AFTER HOLY CROSS
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
First Day of Sunday School
Welcome Back Sunday Cookout following Liturgy

Wednesday, September 22                   
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am 

Sunday, September 26  FALLING ASLEEP OF SAINT JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
3 Year Memorial for George Skrekas
28 Year Memorial for Deborah Skrekas
Coffee Fellowship following Liturgy

Wednesday, September 22                   
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am 

                                             

TODAY’S PARISH COUNCIL: Michael Fokas, Jimmy Demetri & Stephanie Dubay


UPCOMING EVENTS

October 3
Second Sunday of Luke
Monthly Trisagion

October 6           
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am

October 10                       
Third Sunday of Luke
6 Month Memorial for Vasiliki Nicolakakis

October 11                        
Columbus Day – Office Closed

October 13                       
Parish Council Meeting, 6:30 pm

October 16                        
Grecian Food Fest Drive Thru, Noon – 6 pm

October 17                        
Sunday of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

October 24                        
Sixth Sunday of Luke
1 Year Memorial for Valerie Finneral

October 26                        
Saint Demetrios – Liturgy, 9:30 am

October 27                        
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am

October 31                       
Fifth Sunday of Luke

                                         

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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 Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

The joyful news of your resurrection was proclaimed by the angel to the women disciples. Having thrown off the curse that fell on Adam, they ran elatedly to tell the apostles: Death has been vanquished; Christ our God is risen from the dead, blessing all the world with his great mercy.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Give vict'ry to those who battle evil and protect us all by your holy cross.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Bestow your mercies on the people called by your name, Christ God, who freely let yourself be raised on the cross. To all who battle evil give joy in your pow'r, by gracing them with vict'ry over ev'ry foe. For having you as their ally, they possess a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy of vict'ry.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
September 19

Trophimus, Sabbatius, & Dorymedon the Martyrs

In 278, during the reign of Probus, Saints Trophimus and Sabbatius came to Antioch, and seeing the city celebrating the festival of Apollo at Daphne lamented the blindness of the people, and presented themselves as Christians to Atticus the Governor. Saint Trophimus was stripped of his clothing, and was stretched out and beaten until the earth was red with his blood. Then he was hung up, scraped on his sides, and imprisoned in torments. Saint Sabbatius was tortured so savagely that he gave up his spirit in his sufferings. Trophimus was sent to Synnada, wearing iron shoes fitted with sharp iron nails within; he was further tormented without mercy, then cast into prison. Dorymedon, a counsellor, and a pagan, came to the prison and cared for Trophimus. When a certain feast came, Dorymedon was asked why he did not sacrifice to the idols; he proclaimed himself a Christian, for which he was imprisoned, pierced with heated spits, frightfully punished, and finally beheaded with Saint Trophimus.


Eustathi
September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.


Exaltation
September 21

Apodosis of the Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


Phocas
September 22

Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope

This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.


Nativitybaptist
September 23

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).


Thecla
September 24

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.


Euphrosyne
September 25

Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Our righteous Mother Euphrosyne, who lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger (408-450), was the daughter of Paphnutius of Egypt. Forsaking her father and his wealth, she renamed herself Smaragdus, and pretending to be a eunuch of the imperial palace, she dressed herself as a man and entered a monastery of men where her identity remained unknown until her repose thirty-eight years later.


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