HOLY LADY The Theotokos
AUGUST 15, 2021
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, New Jersey 07090
908.233.8533 www.holytrinitywestfield.org Live streaming services http://holytrinitywestfield.org/parish-news/
Rev. Fr. Peter Delvizis, Presiding Priest
Apolytikion of the Resurrection: “O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The apostles did preach the Good News at Your command, that You had risen from the dead O Christ our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world evermore.” Apolytikion of the Dormition [Kimisis]: “In giving birth, you did preserve your virginity; in your Dormition, you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated unto life, since you are the Mother of Life; and by your intercessions you redeem our souls from death.” Kontakion of the Dormition: “The grave and death could not hold the Theotokos, who is unsleeping in her intercessions and an unfailing hope in her mediations. For as the Mother of Life she was translated to life by Him Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.”
Altar Donations Altar Candles in memory of Grigorios and Angelike Christopulos Vigil Light in memory of Michael Micek and Gregory Christopulos Large Candles in memory of Antony and Helen Christopulos Prothesis Candles in memory of Peter and Anna Boolukos Kandili in front of Iconostasi in memory of Walter and Leonora Micek
Funeral
On Friday, August 13, the funeral for Olga Angilella Sens was held. Eternal be her memory.
Liturgical Schedule Sunday, August 22, Ninth Sunday of Matthew, Orthros, 8:15; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 AM
Morning Gospel of the Feast: St. Luke 1:39-49 Ελληνικ Epistle Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Ελληνικ Gospel Reading: St. Luke 10:38-42; Ελληνικ 11:27-28
Click links for Scripture Readings
THE DORMITION OF OUR MOST HOLY LADY
THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY - AUGUST 15 St. Gregory of Palamas wrote: "The Mother of God is so much closer to God than others who draw near to Him, that she is able to intercede more powerfully than any of them; and by this I mean not just human beings, but even all the ranks of angels." The Orthodox Church teaches that Our Most Holy Lady Mary died a natural death, like any human being; however, her soul was received by Christ; and her body was resurrected on the third day after her repose, at which time she was taken up, bodily, into heaven. Her tomb was found empty indicating not only the power of Christ's Resurrection, but that Resurrection is a gift that will be given to everyone. Scripture does not mention the death of the Mother of God as the Bible is about the message of salvation as accomplished in Christ. The Church, however, is not silent about the last days of the Theotokos. Coming from mortal loins, the Theotokos had a death conforming to nature to show that all who fall asleep after Christ's Resurrection should not fear death but with faith approach the Master. She did not fear death, nor did she seek to avoid it. She knew that death had already been overcome by her Son and God. St. John of Damascus writes: "It was necessary that that which is composed of earth should return to earth and only then pass to heaven, having embraced on earth a most pure life through the subjection of the flesh." The icon of the Dormition, appearing on this cover, is an emblematic depiction of her deathbed being surrounded by the Holy Apostles. Christ is in the center of the icon looking at His mother and holding a small child representing the soul of the Theotokos. With His golden garments, the angels below and by His side, and the mandorla surrounding Him, Christ is depicted in His Divine Glory. The posture of the Apostles directs our attention toward the Theotokos. On the left is St. Peter who censes the body of the Theotokos, while on the right is Saint Paul bowing low in her honor. Together with the Apostles are several bishops and women. The bishops traditionally represented are James, the brother of the Lord, Timothy, Heirotheus, and Dionysius the Areopagite. They are shown wearing episcopal vestments. The women are members of the church of Jerusalem. In front of the bed of the Theotokos is a candle that helps to form a central axis in the icon. Above the candle is the body of the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, in her vestal robes. Above Christ, the gates of heaven stand open, ready to receive the Mother of God.
This great Feast of the Church, celebrated in the icon, is a fundamental teaching of our faith which is the bodily Resurrection. In the case of the Theotokos, this has been accomplished by the divine will of God. Thus, this is a feast of hope, hope in the Resurrection and in life eternal. Like those who gathered around the body of the Virgin Mary, we gather around our departed loved ones and commend their souls into the hands of Christ. As we remember those who have reposed in the faith before us and have passed on into the communion of the Saints, we prepare ourselves to be received one day into the new life of the age to come.
Prayer List Katherine, Ashley, Angela, Nick, Lindsey, Alexandria, Evdokia, Chris, Zach, Notis, Erica, Christina, Fran, Joan, Hellen, Joseph, Angela, Cleopatra, James, Rosa, George, Kathy, Stephanie, Theresa, Dorothy, Shannon, Jeff, Jeffrey, Rowena, Craig, Paul, John, Marien, John, Vasilia, Hellen, Natalia, Angela, Katherine, Patricia, Lily, Thomas, Brennan, Elvira, Bill, Alicia, Diane, Dianna, Michael, Nicholas, Pete, Ann, Amanda, Stephanie, Emma, Marco, Lisa, Margaret, Daniel, George, Ann, Dacia, Tonya, Susan, Chris, George, Eleni, Jim, Jean, Elliott, Priscilla, Maria, Vincent, Patricia, Harry, Andrea, Peter, Edward, Aristotelis, Anna, Elizabeth, Anna, Angela, John, Stephanie, Michael, Victor, Floarea, Andy, Ramon, Augusta, Donald, Gloria, Charles, Anastasia, Deborah, Fotini, Bill, Joan, Rose, Ashleigh, Tom, Andrea, Marc, Vasili, Dorka, Stavroula, Maroullas
Greek Fires Appeal Please help, Donate Today!
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, we ask for contributions towards the devastating fires in Greece. With your support, the Archdiocese will provide support and assistance to the countless individuals that are in need during this difficult time. While the fires have upended the lives of so many, your gift, along with the gifts of others will add a positive light to this sad situation. We are truly blessed to have caring people like you support this mission.
Here's how you can help:
a) A special collection will be taken after the Dormition Liturgy on
Sunday.
b) Direct Donation to the Archdiocese: Greece Fires - Donate - Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America (goarch.org) c) GoFund Me Page: Fundraiser by Greek Orthodox Archdiocese :
Greece Fire Relief Fund (gofundme.com)
"Even now as I speak to you, the fires are still ravaging Greece. And when this horror is over, thousands of our Greek brethren will be left without their homes and possessions. I am inviting whoever wishes to make a direct donation, to do so by visiting the website of our Archdiocese. May God, the Comforter, through the Holy Intercessions of the Virgin Mother of God, whose sacred Dormition we will celebrate in a few short days, send speedy relief to the people of Greece, and bring to an end this terrible inferno that continues to devastate our Ellada, την Ελλδα μας." -His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Watch the Archbishop’s request: https://youtu.be/MlN-5lmFJK0
How well do you know Greek History?
Few people realize that the Parthenon served as an Orthodox Christian Church for most of its existence, longer than as a pagan temple. From between approximately the Fifth through the Fifteenth Century it was dedicated at first to Agia Sophia, or the Holy Wisdom of God, but soon after was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and bore the name Panagia Atheniotissa (The All Holy Theotokos of Athens). For almost 1000 years, the Church was also one of the most popular Christian pilgrimage sites during this time. The Christians found no need to destroy it, as many unbelievers would assume and have falsely read into Christian history, but they transformed it to the glory of God. And not only was the Parthenon a Christian Church, but the Propylaea housed the bishop of Athens.
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Metropolis of New Jersey to Honor Holy Trinity Parishioners On Monday, September 20, parishioners from Holy Trinity will be honored by His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Grand Banquet of the Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy Laity. Parish honorees are Lia Lewis--Steward of the Community; George Colonias--Parish Council; Penny Pefanis--Philoptochos; Melissa Krikos--PTO; Maggie Vasilopoulos--GOYA; Felicia Karsos—Essential Medical Worker; Bill Theofanous--senior parish member. The event will be held at the Venetian in Garfield, NJ, beginning at 6:30 PM. Fee for guests wishing to attend is $125/person. Call the church office to make reservations by August 25.
TOTS
(Trinity Orthodox Toddler Social) Are you feeling a little disconnected from your faith community?
TOTS will start up again this fall to bring us together! Come for fellowship and fun with other Orthodox moms! Children 18 months-pre-K are welcome with their caregiver. We will meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 9:30-11:30am. The first meeting will be held *outdoors* on Thursday September 16th. Please contact Val Comprelli (vcomprelli@gmail.com or 612-801-8608) to sign up or to ask any questions!
Ο θαμα θνσκειν κοσμοστειραν Κρην, Το κοσμοπλστου σαρκικς τεθνηκτος. Ζ ε Θεομτωρ, κν δεκτ θνε πμπτ.
πως εναι γνωστ, επνω απ το Σταυρ ο Κριος μας Ιησος Χριστς, δωσε εντολ και την Παναγα μητρα του παρλαβε ο Ιωννης ο Ευαγγελιστς στο σπτι του, που διμενε μαζ με τον αδελφ του Ικωβο και τη μητρα του Σαλμη, συγγεν της Θεοτκου. ταν δε λθε η στιγμ να τελεισει την επγεια ζω της, γγελος Κυρου (η παρδοση λει τι ταν ο Aρχγγελος Γαβριλ) της το κανε γνωστ τρεις μρες πριν. Η χαρ της Θεοτκου υπρξε μεγλη, διτι θα συναντοσε το μονογεν της Υι και Θε λων των ανθρπων. Πγε, λοιπν, και προσευχθηκε στο ρος των Ελαων, που συνθιζε να προσεχεται και ο Κριος Ιησος. πειτα, γρισε στο σπτι του Ιωννη, που κανε γνωστ την επικεμενη κομηση της.
What is B2B?
Holy Trinity now has a support network, a group of parish volunteers who are committed to helping you and your families if you are in need of assistance. Please call the church office to be paired with a B2B volunteer who will reach out to you
at your request. All requests are strictly confidential.
GLORY BE TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS
^ AMEN ^