BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 5, 2023

Welcome to
DORMITION OF THE VIRGIN MARY
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Ι. Ν. ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ
Somerville, MA
REV. FR. ANTHONY TANDILYAN
PRESIDING PRIEST
SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN & PHARISEE
ΤΕΛΩΝΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΦΑΡΙΣΑΙΟΥ
2/5/2023
Orthros: 8:30 a.m. - Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
Όρθρος 8:30 π.μ.—Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ.

TROPARIA SUNG AFTER THE
ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY GOSPEL
Resurrectional Apolytikion
The stone had been secured with a seal by
the Judeans, and a guard of soldiers was
watching Your immaculate body. You rose
on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting
life unto the world. For this reason were
the powers of heaven crying out to You, O
Life-giver, "Glory to Your resurrection, O
Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to
Your dispensation, only One who loves
mankind!"
Οf the Feast
Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos,
for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness
has risen from you and He illumined
those in darkness. And you, righteous
Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your
embraces the One who liberates our souls
and bestows on us the Resurrection.
Apolytikion of St. Catherine
Let us praise the most auspicious bride of
Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai,
our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly
silenced the eloquence of the impious by the
sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr,
she asks great mercy for all.
Apolytikion of the Church
Ιn giving birth, you did preserve your virginity;
in your dormition you did not forsake
the world O Theotokos. You were
translated onto life, since you were the
Mother of life; And by your intercessions do
you redeem our souls from death.
Kontakion
You sanctified the virginal womb by Your
birth, O Lord, and blessed the hands of
Symeon fittingly, O Christ God; and even
now You came and saved us. Now, give
peace to our Nation in time of war, and empower
our Leaders, so loved by You, the
only one who loves humanity.
ΤΡΟΠΑΡΙΑ ΨΑΛΛΟΜΕΝΑ ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ
ΕΙΣΟΔΟ ΤΟΥ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΥ
Αναστάσιμον Απολυτίκιον
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν
Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων
τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης
τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ
τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν
οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ
ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ
σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε
Φιλάνθρωπε.
Της Εορτής
Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε·
ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ Ἥλιος τῆς
δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν,
φωτίζων τοὺς ἐν σκότει. Εὐφραίνου καὶ σὺ
Πρεσβύτα δίκαιε, δεξάμενος ἐν ἀγκάλαις
τὸν ἐλευθερωτὴν τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν,
χαριζόμενον ἡμῖν καὶ τὴν Ἀνάστασιν.
Απολυτίκιον της Αγίας Αικατερίνης
Τήν πανεύφημον νύμφην Χριστού
υμνήσωμεν, Αικατερίναν τήν θείαν καί
πολιούχον Σινά, τήν βοήθειαν ημών καί
αντίληψιν, ότι εφίμωσε λαμπρώς, τούς
κομψούς τών ασεβών, τού Πνεύματος τή
μαχαίρα, καί νύν ως Μάρτυς στεφθείσα,
αιτείται πάσι τό μέγα έλεος.
Απολυτίκιον του Ναού
Εν τη γεννήσει την παρθενίαν εφύλαξας,
εν τη κοιμήσει τον κόσμον ου κατέλιπες,
Θεοτόκε. μετέστης προς την ζωήν, Μήτηρ
υπάρχουσα της ψυχής και ταις πρεσβείαις
ταις σαις λυτρουμένη εκ θανάτου τας
ψυχάς ημών.
Κοντάκιον
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῷ τόκῳ
σου, καὶ χεῖρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς
ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νῦν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς
Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλʼ εἰρήνευσον ἐν
πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον
Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος
φιλάνθρωπος.

EPISTLE READING
TIMOTHY (3:10-15)
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my
teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my
faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
my persecutions, my sufferings, what
befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra,
what persecutions I endured; yet from
them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all
who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted, while evil men and
impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers
and deceived. But as for you, continue
in what you have learned and have
firmly believed, knowing from whom you
learned it and how from childhood you have
been acquainted with the sacred writings
which are able to instruct you for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΚΟΠΗ
ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΝ β΄ (3:10-15)
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ
διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ
πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ
ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν,
οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ,
ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα·
καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ
πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν
Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ
ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ
χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ
μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς
παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ
ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε
σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν
Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
Today we commemorate:
Agatha the Martyr
Polyeuktos, Patriarch Of Constantinople
Antonios the New Martyr of Athens
Theodosios, Archbishop of Chernigov
Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Theodosios of Antioch

GOSPEL READING
LUKE (18:10-14)
The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into
the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a
tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like
other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even
like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give
tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing
far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this
man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVING TODAY
Evangelos Kechris, Nick Lamb & Katerina Leventis
ΜΕΛΟI ΤΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟΥ
ΥΠΕΥΘΥΝΟI ΣΗΜΕΡΑ
Ευάγγελος Κεχρής, Νίκος Λαμπ & Κατερίνα Λεβέντης

ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΚΟΠΗ
ΚΑΤΑ ΛΟΥΚΑΝ (18:10-14)
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην·
Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν
προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος
τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα
προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ
ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι,
μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς
τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα
κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν
οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι
τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ
γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν
ὑψωθήσεται.
In Appreciation for Icon Donations
This year we will celebrate all the saints whose icons have been dedicated by our
parishioners. On the Sunday following the Feast of the Saint we will offer
Artoklasia for the good health of the members of the family who dedicated the icon.
We will also offer a trisagion service for all the deceased members of the donor
family.

This week’s Sermon
The Pharisee and the Publican
St. Luke 18(10-14)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
This week we read about two men who are the two ends of
the spectrum in the society. One is a Pharisee who does everything right, the other
is a person who is never done the right thing in his life according to the social
standards.
Today I would like to bring your attention to a phenomenon that sometimes
we leave out of attention. Like very often in our life these persons are identified
not by who they are but by what they do. Our faith dear brothers and sisters is not
about what we do but who we are. It is about being, not doing. Doing good things
can be very deceiving because one may do good things to mask his or her intentions.
The good person on the other hand cannot stop but do good things.
In this story Christ Our Lord is bringing our attention to a deeper concept.
He is talking about repentance and forgiveness. The goodness of the person does
not depend on how many good things they have done because that can change
overnight. People who do good things can change and stop doing good things.
People who do bad things also can change.
Christ our Lord is shifting our attention from the result of our behavior into
the cause of our behavior. Most importantly he is telling us that the heart from
where all good and bad things come can change. Many people during my short life
have said that change is impossible, that people do not change. I refuse to believe
that the human heart can be permanently damaged. I refuse to believe that there is
one thing that God cannot do.
The Gospel is teaching us that God can make children of Abraham even
from stones. God can transform our hearts from stone to flesh. All we must do is
be repentant and come to God not proud of what we do but humble to accept the
blessings that flow from the compassionate heart of our Lord into our hearts.

Κύρηγμα της εβδομάδας
Αγαπητοί εν Χριστώ αδελφοί,
Αυτή την εβδομάδα διαβάσαμε για δύο άντρες που είναι τα
δύο αντίθετα άκρα στην κοινωνία. Ο ένας είναι ένας
Φαρισαίος που τα κάνει όλα σωστά και ο άλλος είναι ένα
άτομο που δεν έχει κάνει ποτέ το σωστό στη ζωή του σύμφωνα με τα κοινωνικά
πρότυπα.
Σήμερα θα ήθελα να επιστήσω την προσοχή σας σε ένα φαινόμενο που
μερικές φορές περνάει απαρατήρητο. Όπως πολύ συχνά στη ζωή μας αυτά τα άτομα
δεν αναγνωρίζονται από το ποιοι είναι αλλά από το τι κάνουν. Η πίστη μας
αγαπητοί αδελφοί δεν έχει να κάνει με το τι κάνουμε αλλά με το ποιοι είμαστε. Το
να κάνεις αγαθοεργίες μπορεί να είναι πολύ παραπλανητικό γιατί μπορεί κανείς να
κάνει καλά πράγματα για να κρύψει τις προθέσεις του.
Ο καλός άνθρωπος από την άλλη μεριά δεν μπορεί να σταματήσει από το να
κάνει καλά πράγματα.
Σε αυτή την ιστορία ο Χριστός και Κύριός μας στρέφει την προσοχή μας σε
μια βαθύτερη έννοια. Μιλάει για μετάνοια και συγχώρεση. Η καλοσύνη του ατόμου
δεν εξαρτάται από το πόσα καλά πράγματα έχει κάνει γιατί αυτό μπορεί να αλλάξει
από τη μια μέρα στην άλλη. Οι άνθρωποι που κάνουν καλά πράγματα μπορούν να
αλλάξουν και να σταματήσουν να κάνουν καλά πράγματα. Οι άνθρωποι που κάνουν
άσχημα πράγματα μπορούν επίσης να αλλάξουν.
Ο Χριστός και Κύριός μας μετατοπίζει την προσοχή μας από το αποτέλεσμα
της συμπεριφοράς μας στην αιτία της συμπεριφοράς μας. Το πιο σημαντικό είναι
ότι μας λέει ότι η καρδιά από όπου προέρχονται όλα τα καλά και τα κακά πράγματα
μπορεί να αλλάξει. Πολλοί άνθρωποι κατά τη διάρκεια της σύντομης ζωής μου
είπαν ότι η αλλαγή είναι αδύνατη, ότι δεν μορούν να αλλάξουν οι άνθρωποι.
Αρνούμαι να πιστέψω ότι η ανθρώπινη καρδιά μπορεί να υποστεί μόνιμη βλάβη.
Αρνούμαι να πιστέψω ότι υπάρχει ένα πράγμα που δεν μπορεί να κάνει ο Θεός.
Το Ευαγγέλιο μας διδάσκει ότι ο Θεός μπορεί να δημιουργήσει παιδιά του
Αβραάμ ακόμα και από πέτρες. Ο Θεός μπορεί να μεταμορφώσει τις καρδιές μας
από πέτρα σε σάρκα. Το μόνο που πρέπει να κάνουμε είναι να μετανοήσουμε και να
έρθουμε στον Θεό όχι περήφανοι για ό,τι κάνουμε, αλλά ταπεινοί για να δεχτούμε
τις ευλογίες που ρέουν από τη συμπονετική καρδιά του Κυρίου, μας στις καρδιές
μας.

Agatha the Martyr
The Holy Virgin Martyr Agatha was the fifteen-year-old daughter of
rich and respected Christian parents from the city of Palermo
(formerly Panormos) in Sicily. During the persecution under the emperor
Decius (249-251), the city prefect of Catania, Quintianus, having
heard about Agatha’s wealth and beauty, sent his soldiers after
her to bring her to trial as a Christian.
At Catania they housed the saint with a certain rich woman, who had
five daughters. They all attempted to tempt Saint Agatha with fine
clothes, amusements and entertainment, urging her to offer sacrifice
to the pagan gods, but the saint disdained all these things. The more they tried to move
her, the more resolute she became. She prayed that she might soon face martyrdom.
During her interrogation under Quintianus, the holy martyr was swayed neither by the
flattery, nor by the threats, and she was subjected to cruel torments. They also tried to
remove her breasts with metal tongs, and when this failed, they used knives.
The holy Apostle Peter appeared to her in prison and healed her wounds. Saint Agatha
was led to torture again, and Quintianus was astonished to see her completely healed,
with no trace of cutting. Then the torture began once more.
At this moment an earthquake took place in the city, and many buildings were
destroyed. Among those killed were two of Quintianus’s advisors. The terrified inhabitants
rushed to Quintianus, demanding an end to Agatha’s tortures. Fearing a revolt by
the people, Quintianus sent Saint Agatha back to prison. There the martyr, offering
thanks to God, peacefully surrendered her soul to the Lord.
WEEKDAY SERVICES
ST. HARALAMBOS –Friday, February 10th at 8:30 AM
PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY –Wednesday, March 1 at 8:30 AM
1ST SALUTTIONS -Friday, March 3 at 6:30 PM
ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΕΣ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΕΣ
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΣ –Παρασκευή, 10 Φεβρουαρίου στις 8:30 πμ
ΠΡΟΗΓΙΑΣΜΕΝΗ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ –Τετάρτη, 1 Μαρτίου στις 8:30 πμ
1οι ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ –Παρασκευή, 3 Μαρτίου στις 6:30 μμ

Coffee hour is sponsored by Joseph & Jen Snyder &
Dan & Maria McMahon.
Ο καφές χορηγήται από τους Joseph & Jen Snyder &
Dan & Maria McMahon.
COFFEE HOUR FELLOWSHIP
If you would like to sponsor Coffee Hour fellowship
please call the office at 617-625-2222.
Εάν θέλετε να χορηγήσετε τον καφέ, παρακαλούμε να
καλέσετε το γραφείο στο 617-625-2222.
ARTOKLASIA
This Sunday we will offer an Artoklasia
for the beginning of the Triodion for the
health of the entire community.
ΑΡΤΟΚΛΑΣΙΑ
Αυτή την Κυριακή θα προσφέρουμε
Αρτοκλασία για την έναρξη του
Τριωδίου για την υγεία όλης της
κοινότητας.

On Monday, 6pm, February 6 2023, we will serve an All Night Vigil for St. Richard
of Wessex (February 7), the English king who renounced his wealth and throne for
Christ. Although St. Richard reposed in 722 A.D. and has been depicted in Orthodox iconography
and listed in Orthodox saints calendars, last year was the first time there was
ever a complete office for him. Join us as we celebrate a new service for an old saint!

A PLEA FROM AN ANONYMOUS PARISHIONER
Most people don’t know that I have kidney disease, which causes my kidneys
not to work well enough to keep me alive. This is what I am facing now, and
my treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant.
However, finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. There are over 100,000
people on the waiting list. Time is not on our side. Some wait for years; many
die while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from
a deceased donor. However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a
living donor.
Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney is difficult,
but it dramatically improves my chances of getting a transplant. However, some
people fear the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them.
Here’s some basic information about kidney donation:
• You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
• Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.
• The recuperation period is usually relatively quick, generally two weeks.
• My insurance will cover the cost of your evaluation and surgery.
• You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you
as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits
and look out for YOUR best interests.
You can learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation
(NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation or by contacting the NKF’s
free, confidential helpline at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273)
or nkfcares@kidney.org. If you want to talk to someone who’s already donated
a kidney, NKF can also help.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is
something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about
my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me.
Please contact Fr. Anthony for more information.
I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still
help! Consider being an organ donor after death, and also help me by sharing
my story with everyone you know. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive
a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on
the waitlist. Thank you

Presiding Priest Fr. Anthony Tandilyan
at your Service 24/7
Προϊστάμενος π. Αντώνιος Ταντίλυαν
Διαθέσιμος 24/7
franthony@dormitionchurch.org
978-223-8224
Scan to Make your Contribution Here
Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St., Somerville, MA 02143
Tel: 617-625-2222—email: office@dormitionchurch.org