Announcements

FELLOWSHIP HOUR

Everyone is welcome to join us downstairs for Fellowship following Liturgy.

LENTEN MEAL AND LECTURE SERIES

Our Lenten Meal and Lecture Series take place every Wednesday of Lent immediately following PreSanctified Liturgy: This Wednesday’s Meal will be hosted by the Sunday School and the speaker will be Dr. Tim Patitsas.

KOULOURAKIA SALES

Philoptochos will sell koulourakia beginning March 19th. $10 a dozen and $25 for 3 dozen. All proceeds benefit the Philoxenia House, a ministry of the Metropolis of Boston. Philoxenia House embraces people who find themselves in Boston for medical reasons.

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

Oratorical Festival for Grades 7-12: please encourage your child to participate in this year’s St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. Fr. Gregory is available to assist them with ideas and resources each step of the way. This is an invaluable opportunity for your child to learn more about their Faith while gaining valuable public speaking experience. Plus, they could win a scholarship. To see this year’s topics, to learn more, or to see scholarships your child can win visit the archdiocese website at https:\\www.goarch.org.

HELLENIC COLLEGE HOLY CROSS

On Sunday, March 19 Philoptochos will be holding baskets after Liturgy for HCHC donations. Your donations will be greatly appreciated. Archbishop Athenagoras established the Holy Cross School of Theology in June 1937, in Pomfret, Connecticut. The Archbishop addressed a special appeal to the Philoptochos to devote themselves to the School, “where your sons will be educated as priests and teachers.” Over eighty years later, Philoptochos continues its strong commitment to and financial support of Hellenic College/Holy Cross through Scholarships awarded to worthy and dedicated students, both men and women at Hellenic College and seminarians at Holy Cross to assist with tuition expenses.

MONTHLY MINDED STEWARDSHIP

During Great and Holy Lent, as part of your reorienting and reprioritizing your focus on Christ, please take some time to review your stewardship donation and frequency of giving, and prayerfully consider making a monthly gift to His Church. We have set a lofty goal for ourselves to try and be 100% self-sustaining via stewardship ($100/month average per steward) by our 100 year anniversary in 2024 but we have a long way to go. Giving MONTHLY instead of annually, is a powerful, effective, and more affordable way to help us find stability from month to month. Your monthly gift can be set up on our website to be automatically donated from your credit card or checking account. Thank you for your help in furthering the mission of Christ’s Church and spreading the Good News of His glorious Resurrection!

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Lowell Transitional Living Center has expressed thanks for all the winter coats and warm clothes we have offered to them this winter. Of course, do not hesitate to continue to donate warm clothing as winter continues.

SAVE THE DATES!

Grecian Festival - June 2 – 4

Vacation Church Camp – July 24-28

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

†Vigil Light at the Side Altar (Icon of the Theotokos): Dearest Holy Mother pray for us those that are living and those that have fallen asleep. Intervene on our behalf because you are alive in the presence of your beloved son, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. From Dimitrios and St. Irene

†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 Peter Sintros 1 year memorial. Memory Eternal!

†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: In Loving Memory of David Vercontaire, Steve & Anna Neofotistos, Andrew Parola – from Ellen Neofotistos Vercontaire

Weekly Inserts

Transfiguration Stewards 2022

List of all Transfiguration stewards for the year 2022.

Weekly Calendar

Sunday,March 12 SUNDAY ST. GREGORY PALAMAS
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am

Monday, March 13
Compline, 6:00 pm

Tuesday, March 14
Parish Council Meeting, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, March 15
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
PreSanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm
Lenten Meal and Speaker Series to follow Liturgy

Friday, March 17
Salutations, 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 19 SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am
1 Year Memorial for Ellen Simorellis
10 Year Memorial for Michael Eliopoulos

Monday, March 20
Compline, 6:00 pm

Tuesday, March 21
Community Kitchen, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Bible Study (online), 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 22
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm
Lenten Meal to follow Liturgy

Friday, March 24
Salutations, 6:00 pm

Saturday, March 25
Annunciation @ Holy Trinity

TODAY’S PARISH COUNCIL: Philip Eliopoulos, Ann Marie Stelman & Olivia Sintros

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 26
Sunday of St. John Climacus

March 27
Compline, 6:00 pm

March 28
Bible Study (online), 7:00 pm

March 29
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am
Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00 pm
Lenten Meal to follow Liturgy

March 31
Akathist Hymn, 6:00 pm

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, the soldiers guarding it became as dead men, and Mary stood at your grave seeking, seeking your most pure body. But you made hell a captive; you were untouched by its might. You came to the virgin and granted life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to you.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O light of Orthodoxy, O pillar of strength and teacher of the Church! Glory of monks and nuns, and of theologians the protector invincible! O wonderworker Gregory, pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, intercede without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Victorious Lady, mighty champion, defending us, we, your servants, now inscribe to you this hymn of thanks, for you rescued us from suff'ring and tribulation. Theotokos, with your power that can never fail, keep us safe from ev'ry danger our whole life long, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.

St. Peter Chrysologus

Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

March 12

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

March 13

Removal of the relics of Nicephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople

The main feast day of this Saint is June 2. The translation of his holy relics took place in 846, when Saint Methodius (see June 14) was Ecumenical Patriarch.

March 14

Benedict the Righteous of Nursia

This Saint, whose name means "blessed," was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.

March 15

Agapios the martyr & his Companions

The holy Martyrs contested for piety's sake during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Urban was Governor of Caesarea of Palestine. When Urban had commanded that together with a heathen festival, certain condemned Christians be publicly cast to wild beasts, Timolaus, a native of Pontus, Dionysius of Tripolis in Phoenicia, Romulus of Diospolis, Plesius (or Paisius) and Alexander from Egypt, and another Alexander from Gaza, tied their own hands and presented themselves to Urban when the exhibition was about to begin, professing their faith in Christ; they were immediately cast into prison. A few days later Agapios and Dionysius also presented themselves. All were beheaded together at Caesarea. Their martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius (Eccl. Hist.,Book VIII, ch.3, called The Martyrs of Palestine).

March 16

Savinos 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

Alexios 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.

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