December/January 2020
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DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 2020 HE INE T EME T RIO S TREEK R T HO D OX HURCH ROWN T REE T E st ON S . D G O C V, 57 B S , W , MA 02493 FR. NICK’S MESSAGE Jesus said, The Gift of Peace “I am the vine; you are the “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” branches. If a man remains Dear Parishioners, in me and I in him, With each Christmas comes the hope of, “Peace on Earth” as God’s promise he will bear of “tidings of great joy” reach down from heaven. (Luke 2:8-14). How wonderful our homes could be, how wonderful our lives could be, how wonderful our world could be, much fruit.” if we really put into practice the blessing of “peace on earth, good will to men.” (John 15:5) As Christmas draws near, when our hearts grow a size or two larger, “maybe it is not impossible to accept the gift of peace?” Maybe the miracle of God’s Son coming into the world could fill our hearts with love for Him and for one another to heal and bind our wounds. Maybe, just maybe, this next year, will be different than the last and that love will finally lead to everlasting and abiding peace. CONTENTS It seems we look for peace, we long and pray for peace but the world does not offer the peace that we truly need for Christ alone can offer such peace. Listen to His words “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid.” ( John 14:27) and again, Liturgical “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you Schedule...................................2 will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ( John 16:23) Christmas Prayer.................3 Perhaps peace can be had, but not one sought in a fragmented world or within broken promises and hearts. The true peace that “surpasses all understanding” can be Youth.....................................4-5 found this Christmas and “today” in a newborn child that enters into human history. Photos..................................6-7 The newborn child, Jesus, Emmanuel, brings with Him the peace that dispels all fear and tribulation for only God can offer such a peace. It cannot be bought but only freely Calendar...................................8 received when we become “children” of the Most High for this is indeed His gift to us! Philoptochos.........................9 Such is the path toward realizing and acquiring a true and lasting peace. Yes, this Christmas and the coming year could bring the peace we seek and desire if we choose Stewardship & to accept Christ fully into our hearts and homes. Events...............................10-11 Announcements................12 My prayer and hope is that you open your heart and outstretched arms to receive God’s glorious “Gift of Peace” by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ. Then peace can begin to grow starting with ourselves. That is my wish for you and your family this Christmas. Yours in Our Incarnate Lord, Father Nick LITURGICAL SCHEDULE SCHEDULE OF THEOPHANY: CHURCH SERVICES WHAT’s iT ALL ABOUT? SUNDAY SERVICES ORTHRos, 8:30; DIVINE LITURGY, 9:30 December 1- 14th Sunday of Luke December 8- 10th Sunday of Luke December 15- 11th Sunday of Luke December 22- Sunday Before the Nativity December 29- Sunday After the Nativity January 5- Sunday Before Epiphany , Blessing of the Waters January 12- Sunday After Epiphany January19- 12th Sunday of Luke January 26- 15th Sunday of Luke MIDWEEK SERVICES AT ST. DEMETRIos Friday, December 6 Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. Nicholas, 9 am Thursday, December 12 On January 6, as well as the Eve Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. Spyridon, 9 am of Theophany on the 5th, Orthodox faithful attend a Divine Liturgy and Monday, December 16 the Great Blessing of the Water service Vigil for St. Dionysios, 6 pm to celebrate Theophany, also called Ton Tuesday, December 24 Photon (“Feast of Lights”), referring to Vesperal Divine Liturgy, 6 pm the spiritual illumination of the Holy Wednesday, December 25 Spirit. The service commemorates the Christmas Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am baptism of Christ and the manifestation Wednesday, January 1 of God in three persons. Large numbers Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. Basil/Circumcision of our Lord, 9 am of people attend church to be blessed Monday, January 6 and receive holy water, which they take Orthros & Divine Liturgy for Theophany, 8:30 am home in small bottles provided by the church. Some parishioners bring their Monday, January 16 own bottles often made specifically for Evening Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. Anthony, 6 pm holy water. Monday, January 30 Orthros & Divine Liturgy for the Three Hierarchs, 9 am In most churches, the blessing is held indoors, and the water is contained MIDWEEK SERVICES AT NEIGHBORING PARISHES in a large urn. Some communities hold Thursday, December 5 outdoor celebrations by a body of water. Great Vespers for St. Nicholas at Lexington, 6pm In the end, through Theophany, we can Wednesday, December 11 participate in His baptism and invite the Great Vespers for St. Spyridon at Worcester, 7 pm holy, rejuvenating waters of the Jordan into our homes and hearts. Tuesday, January 7 Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. John the Baptist in Boston, time TBA Friday, January 17 Great Vespers for St. Athanasios at Arlington, 6:30 pm Saturday, January 18 Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. Athanasios at Arlington, 9 am Friday, January 24 Great Vespers for St. Gregory the Theologian at Mansfield, 7 pm Saturday, January 25 Orthros & Divine Liturgy for St. Gregory the Theologian at Mansfield, 9:30 am THE VINE: November 2019-January 2020 p. 2 A CHRISTMAS PRAYER ST. DEMETRIOS CONNECTIONS 781-237-5561 | www.stdemetriosweston.org A CHRISTMAS Fr. Nicholas Krommydas, Presbyter Fr. Vincent Minucci, Presbyter PRAYER Marianne Kent, Office Administrator Nicholas Korderas, Sexton Thomas Gatzunis, Parish Council President Loving Father, help us remember Matina Pappas, Philoptochos President the birth of Jesus, that we may Bookstore, Carol Loridas share in the song of the angels, ST. DEMETRIOS Choir, Genie Leussis, Chris Tzellas, Athena Kalyvas the gladness of the shepherds, Faith and Works Ministries and the worship of the wise men. GREEK ORTHODOX St. Demetrios Inner-City Outreach, Peter Mitsakos CHURCH St. Nicholas Angel Tree, Nancy Agris Savage YOCAMA, Jill Kovatsis Close the door of hate and open Peace Ministry, Peter Panagopoulos the door of love all over the IOCC, Andrea Katsenes world. Habitat for Humanity, David Newkirk, Gina Pagonis Hospitality/Fellowship Hour, St. Demetrios Philoptochos Let kindness come with every Library, Cindi Dabrowski gift and good desires with every greeting. 57 Brown St. Mailing Ministry, Portia Pantages Orthodox Life Series, James Skedros Weston, MA 02493 Deliver us from evil by the (781) 237-5561 Byzantine Chant Ministry, Demetrios Constantine Philoptochos Care Ministries blessing which Christ brings, and (781) 237-8612 (fax) teach us to be merry with clear www.stdemetriosweston.org Hellenic Nursing Home, Pam Brody Prayer-Shawl, Elaine Ward hearts. Quiltathon, Debbie Morakis Visitations, Valerie Wiegel May the Christmas morning Prosfora Ministry, Christina Booth make us happy to be Thy Fr. Nicholas Krommydas Senior Guild, Artemis Martakis children, and the Christmas Proistamenos Stewardship, Dimitri Georgakopoulos evening bring us to our beds with [email protected] YOUTH grateful thoughts, forgiving and Altar Servers, Chris Kourlos forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Fr. Vincent Minucci Basketball, Jack Markis Presbyter Church School, Stavroula Gurguliatos Amen! [email protected] Church School Music Director, Jane Kourtis GOYA, Fr. Vinnie, Jill Kovatsis OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Jr. GOYA, Fr. Vinnie, Renee Vekiarides, Kelly Marks Marianne Kent HOPE & JOY, Fr. Vinnie, Anastasia Smith [email protected] Family First Friday, Pres. Nadia Minucci Greek Folk Dancing, Alexandra Lull Greek Language School, Avra Parpos Young Adults, Demetri and Maria Constantine p. 3 THE VINE: DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 2020 “Don’t let anyone look down on you YOUTH because you are young... CHURCH SCHOOL May the peace and joy of the Christmas season fill you with love and happiness! December 1 Church School Classes; CS Staff Mtg. December 8 Church School Classes; Christmas Pageant Rehearsal December 15 Christmas Pageant Program December 22 Church School Classes December 25 Christmas December 29 No Church School January 5 Church School Classes; Church School Staff Mtg. January 12 Church School Classes January 19 Church School Classes January 26 Church School Classes Christmas Pageant: Please join us on Sunday, December 15th, for our Christmas Pageant Program. All of our Church School students are invited to participate. The Pageant will begin after the Divine Liturgy. St. Demetrios Greek Language andTHE Cultural School ST . DEMETRIOS CHRISSt. Demetrios GreekT MASLanguage and Cultural PA SchoolG EANT The Christmas Pageant will be held after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 15, 2019, with a snow date of Sunday, December 22, 2019. s’ s’ A sfull Church School mandatory rehearsal will take place son Sunday, December 8, 2019, from 11:30-12:15pm in theThe Church. Greek School children Parents will celebrate of thesmall holiday seasonchildren, with our annual please Christmas meet Program your sonsThe Greekand School daughters children will celebrate in Church the holiday season afterwards. with our annual ChristmasGrades Program 1-12 are expectedand Party. to Parents, attend. grandparents, and friends are invited to join the holiday festivities, which and Party. Parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join the holiday festivities, which will include decorating the Christmas tree and singing Christmas carols. Santa will visit too! will include decorating the Christmas tree and singing Christmas carols.