Sunday, January 3, 2016

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Saints of the Day

St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Church Office 508-791-7326 Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

www.spyridoncathedral.org

Reverend Doctor Dimitrios MoraitisDean

Reverend Father Dean N. Paleologos Dean Emeritus

Reverend Deacon Andrew Giourelis

Mr. Vasilios Vasiliadis-Parish Council President

Email - frdimitri@spyridoncathedral.org Metropolis of Boston

WELCOME

Welcome to the Saint Spyridon Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts. We are honored that you have

chosen to worship with us today. It is our hope that your visit here will bring you many blessings from

God. Please be sure to tell us if you are visiting or if you are new to our community. Our Church Fam-

ily worships the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and every Sunday, the Lords Day, we

commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to live the Holy Gospel in accordance

with the Orthodox Faith; towards sanctification through Gods grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy

and the Sacraments: glorifying God through all joys and struggles; and as a Church Community, in

Christian love, we seek to do His will so that through His mercy, we may attain His Kingdom. We are

blessed to have the slippers of St. Spyridon, which are located in the narthex of the Church, please be

sure to venerate them. We pray you have a blessed day and that you visit with us again soon. Also,

please remember that one must be an Orthodox Christian in order to receive Holy Communion. If you

would like to embrace the Orthodox Faith, please see Father Dimitrios Moraitis. May God Bless you!

January 3, 2016 Sunday Before Epiphany

Memorials

Charles Fotos-40 days

Spiros Nemphos 40 days

Trisagion

Ioannis Gertsios-32 years

Coffee Hour

Coffee hour is sponsored in lov-

ing memory of Charles Fotos,

Spiros Nemphos and Ioannis

Gertsios by their families

Altar Flowers

Altar flowers are sponsored in

loving memory of Charles Fotos

and Spiros Nemphos by their

families

Sunday Services Orthros 8:30 am

Divine Liturgy 9:45 am

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Blessing of the Waters

Orthros-8:30am

Divine Liturgy-9:45am

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Holy Epiphany

Orthros-8:30am

Divine Liturgy-9:45am

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Synaxis of St. John

the Baptist

Orthros-8:30am

Divine Liturgy-9:45am

Malachi the Prophet

Gordios the Martyr of Caesarea

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Vespers 7:00pm confessions to

follow

Name Day Flowers

Name Day flowers are sponsored

for the month of January by

Barbara Efstathiou in loving memory

of her father,Vasilios Douka.

Name Day Coffee Hour

Vasilios Vasiliadis is sponsoring

Coffee Hour in honor of his Name

Day

Entrance Hymns

,

,

,

.

, ' ,

, ,

, .

Apolytikion Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and

they that guarded Thee became as dead. And

Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine im-

maculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades

and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet

the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who

didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to

Thee.

Saint Spyridon

O Father, God-bearer, Spyridon, you were

proven a champion and Wonder Worker of the

First Ecumenical Council. You spoke to the girl

in the grave and turned the serpent to gold. And,

when chanting your prayers, most sacred One,

angels ministered with you. Glory to Him who

glorified you; glory to Him who crowned you;

glory to Him who, through you, works healing

for all.

,

,

, ,

,

,

,

, ,

.

For The Memorials

Keep Thy servants in remembrance, O Lord,

since Thou art good; and do Thou forgive every

sin in this life; for no man is without sin, except

for Thee Who art able to grant rest even unto

him who has departed hence.

Kontakion

,

, .

, ,

.

Kontakion

In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.

Make ready O Zebulum; Prepare yourself O

Naphthali; Cease to flow O River Jordan; Re-

ceive the Master who comes to be baptized, in

joy. Adam, rejoice with the first mother. Do

not hide in Paradise, as before, for He came to

see us, even naked, that He might clothe us as

we were before. Christ has appeared to renew

all creation.

GREEK SCHOOL

Greek School vacation begins Tuesday, December 22,

2015 and classes will resume on Monday, January 11,

2016.

Thank you to Mr.

Demosthenis Ka-

loudelis for playing the

role of Santa Claus

during the Greek

School Christmas

party.

ST. SPYRIDON SPARTANS

Sr. Division Basketball The Sr. Division team will be practicing

Monday, January 4, 2016 at 7:00pm

Basketball Games at Assumption College Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 12:00pm Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 2:30pm

Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 12:00pm Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 12:00pm

Please submit any news, updates, fliers and photos you

would like to see in the Sunday Bulletin to: gvp@spyridoncathedral.org

Also if youd like to be added to the email list to receive the bulletin via email please contact Georgia at the above

email address. The Sunday Bulletin can also be viewed on the St. Spyridon website

www.spyridoncathedral.org by clicking on the About tab, Weekly Bulletin.

PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY NEWS The Philoptochos Society will meet on Tuesday,

January 5th, 2016 at 7:00pm

GOYA The GOYAns will meet on Tuesday, January 5,

2016 at 6:30pm. The GOYA group will celebrate the cutting of the Vasilopita!

EMBROIDERY CLUB

The Embroidery Club will meet on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 9:00am n the Founders Court.

PARISH COUNCIL

The St. Spyridon Parish Council will conduct the Oath of Officers for the newly elected

Parish Council members and for the existing Parish Council members immediately follow-

ing Divine Liturgy on January 10, 2016. Georgia Parafestas

Michael Dionis Joan Theros

George Panagiotopoulos George Gourousis

COTSIDAS CULTURAL CENTER Web Site The web site for the rental of the Cultural Center can

now be accessed at www.cotsidasculturalcenter.com

Note that Parishioner rental rates are priced consid-erably lower to those advertised to the General Pub-lic, (Hall $850, Founders Court $300). Rental rates for Cathedral Affiliates (AHEPA, Epirotic Society, Union Hristohorafiton, etc) are half of the Parish-

ioner rate. There is no charge for rentals to Cathe-dral Ministries (Philoptochos, GOYA, Holy Trinity etc.). For more information contact Mike Dionis or

Jim Voyiatzis through the Cathedral office.

WHAT'S NEW AT HOLY TRINITY NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER

Check out Holy Trinity's December 2015 News-letter at htnr.net on the front page!

HOLY TRINITY HOSPICE

Holy Trinity Hospice offers exceptional care for individuals facing serious illnesses and those at the end of life. We provide individualized care for your loved ones in their place of residence,

whether that be at home, in an assisted living or at a nursing facility. We would be honored to

help you through your difficult time. If you would like further information, please call our office at 508-791-8200 and ask for our Hospice Director,

Beth Miller or our Community Liaison, Ursula Hanus.

http://www.cotsidasculturalcenter.com/http://htnr.net/

EPISTLE

St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy

4:5-8

TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

O Lord, save your people and

bless your inheritance.

Verse: To you, O Lord, I have

cried, O my God.

' 4:5-8

, ,

,

,

.

,

.

,

,

,

,

,

,

.

,

.

. , ,

.

T

Sunday before Epiphany

1:1-8

,

.

,

,

,

,

,

.

,

.

,

.

,

,

.

The Gospel

Sunday before Epiphany

The Gospel according to Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus

Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and un-tie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Fasting /

No Fasting This Week!

Bible Study

Jesuss First Resurrection

Wednesday, January 13 , 2016 at 7:00pm

in the Tonna Room

Fr. Dimitrios Moraitis will be leading a Bible Study on the

Gospel of Matthew. If you wish to learn about the Bible, please come to this in-

formative presentation.

Christmas in New York City

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The Annual Goya field trip took place on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 with

approximately 35 children and their chaperones making the 4 hour bus trip to

New York City. They visited the Archdiocese of America, Times Square, Rocker-

feller Center, and shopped at various locales. They ended their trip by dining at

Stamatis Greek Restaurant in Astoria before returning to Worcester.

Junior Orthodox Youth- JOY JOY is a wonderful program for children in grades 3-6 (ages 7-12). The groups name is very appropriate to describe

the spirit that radiates from the children who attend the gatherings. It has proven to be both popular and very successful

in achieving the goals of church ministry for children and lead children to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The

JOY ministry program provides wholesome and fun activities to its participants while supporting the efforts of the fam-

ily to impart a positive value system on its children. JOY meetings are an opportunity to participate in wholesome fel-

lowship with peers and adult advisors who offer friendship and emotional support. Meetings are conducted in an infor-

mal, relaxed atmosphere that provides balance to the more formal experience of worship services and religious educa-

tional classes. The discussion segments of the teachings, songs, games, craft projects and other activities reflect and

enhance the spoken message in a developmentally appropriate manner for the children of this age.

JOY meets once a month, typically a Friday evening, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Usually snacks and refreshments are offered,

a topic for discussion, and a craft that coordinates with the theme of the night. We begin and end each meeting with a

prayer.

Please join the JOY group at the next meeting Friday, January 15, 2016 at 5:00pm on the church premises. Simply

come in, introduce yourself and sit in with the rest of the children to share some joy and fellowship. If you would like

more information, please contact Olga Fotos at 508-728-6983. Hope to see you at the next meeting!

OPEN TO EVERYONE

Please join us for an informative meeting to discuss

topics concerning Grecian Festival 2016

All are welcomed to participate in discussing our

upcoming festival.

Monday, January 11, 2016 at 7:00pm

The blessing of our homes with the Holy Water of Epiphany is a meaningful way to begin the New Year. This

beautiful tradition of our Orthodox Church allows us to start the year off in a most holy way by sanctifying our homes -the place where we spend most of our time. Please have an icon, a list of the living members of your family, a bowl

as well as a spring of Basil or some other plant. We will bring the holy water, the cross and a copy of the service so you can follow along. The following days and times are available for house blessings. We ask that you please contact your neighbors to find a day and a block of time that satisfies all of you. For instance, you should contact your

neighbors that live on your block, as well as other parishioners who live within a mile of your home, and schedule them either before or after your blessing. This will help us tremendously, especially since there are so many families,

and we are still getting to know the neighborhoods around the Church. Please remember to allow at least 30 minutes for each house blessing. These dates are on a first come first serve basis. Contact the Church office to book your

time. The available dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, January 6, 12:00pm-9:00pm

Thursday, January 7, 12:00pm-9:00pm

Friday, January 8, 9:00am-8:00pm

Saturday, January 9, 9:00am-7:00pm

Monday January 11, 9:00am-6:00pm

Tuesday, January 12, 11;00am-6:00pm

Wednesday, January 13, 9:00am-5:30pm

Thursday, January 14, 9:00am-8:00pm

Friday, January 15, 9:00am-4:00pm

Saturday, January 16, 9:00am-8:00pm

Monday, January 18, 12:00pm-4:00pm

Tuesday, January 19, 4:30pm 6:00pm

Wednesday, January 20, 11:00am-9:00pm

Thursday, January 21, 9:00am 6:00pm

Friday, January 22, 9:00am-9:00pm

Saturday, January 23, 9:00am-2:00pm

Monday, January 25 4:00pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, January 26, 8:00am-9:00pm

Wednesday, January 27, 8:00am-6:00pm

Thursday, January 28, 8:00am-9:00pm

January 6,2016

Join us for crafts, socialization, interaction and fun!

The Parish Council will be taking the Oath of Office on Sunday January 10,

2016 immediately following Divine Liturgy. We would like to take the opportu-

nity to welcome the incoming members:

Georgia Parafestas

Michael Dionis

Joan Theros

George Panagiotopoulos

George Gourousis

..joining existing members:

Sideris Angelou

Gus Giannakis

Demitrios Economou

George Economou

Eleftherios Teddy Fotos

Nick Moudios

Nick Paleologos

George Taliadouros

Christos Tsigas

Evangelia Leka Velentzas

...and THANK for the bottom of our hearts the outgoing members:

Theo Vasilescu

Evans Fotos

Dean Alexandrou

Vasilios Vasiliadis

.and a special Thank You to Dean Alexandrou and Vasilios Vasiliadis for

Serving on the Parish Council Executive Board.

27

27

Thank you to those who participated in Stewardship Sunday dispersing of the Stewardship packets and Church Calendar. Those who did

not have a chance to pick up their packets personally, they will be mailed out to you. Please fill our all paperwork including the stewardship

form as we are implementing a new software and need to update everyones information. Thank you.

2015 Stewardship Report * GOAL

2015

Week Total

Stewardship

Budget

52 $286.201.36 $270.000.00

* GOAL amount includes the 2015 Stewardship Budget Receipts of $270,000.00. Funds reflect all monies re-ceived in 2015

We suggest you budget your Stewardship contribution as you do your monthly home expenses

Our Cathedral must meet the Financial needs of its ministries and annual operating budget by

way of its Christian Stewardship Program. It is each and everyone's responsibility to accept

honor and support your role as a Contributing Steward. Please pledge your Required Stewardship

Contribution now, if you have not done so. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.