BULLETIN, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Welcome to
DORMITION OF THE VIRGIN MARY
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Ι. Ν. ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ
Somerville, MA
REV. FR. ANTHONY TANDILYAN
PRESIDING PRIEST
1ST SUNDAY OF LUKE
Α΄ΛΟΥΚΑ
9/24/2023
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
You destroyed death by Your Cross, You
opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the
Myrrh-bearing Women's lament into joy, and
You commanded Your Apostles to preach that
You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the
great mercy.
For the Theotokos
O come, all you people, and let us in faith clap
our hands and sing sacred songs to her who is
the Mother of God, and longingly cry aloud:
"Rejoice, O protection of all those who entreat
you; rejoice, the salvation of those who honor
you with longing; rejoice, O Lady who restored
the paralyzed man to health."
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
O Protection of Christians that never falls, intercession
with the Creator that never fails, we sinners
beg you, do not ignore the voices of our
prayers. O good Lady, we implore you, quickly
come unto our aid, when we cry out to you with
faith. Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication,
O Theotokos who protect now and
ever those who honor you.
ΤΡΟΠΑΡΙΑ ΨΑΛΛΟΜΕΝΑ ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ
ΕΙΣΟΔΟ ΤΟΥ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΥ
Αναστάσιμον Απολυτίκιον
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον·
ἠνέῳξας τῷ λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον· τῶν
Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς
σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι
ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ
τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
Της Θεοτόκου
Λαοὶ νῦν κροτήσωμεν, δεῦτε τὰς χεῖρας
πιστῶς, καὶ ἄσωμεν ἄσμασι, τῇ Θεομήτορι, ἐν
πόθῳ κραυγάζοντες· Χαῖρε ἡ προστασία
πάντων τῶν δεομένων· χαῖρε ἡ σωτηρία τῶν
τιμώντων σε πόθῳ· χαῖρε ἡ τῷ παραλύτῳ τὴν
ἴασιν βραβεύσασα.
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
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε,
μεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ
παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ
πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν,
τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς
πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ
προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων
σε.

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.
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVING TODAY
James Pagounes, Eleni Raschi & Angela Shermanopoulos
ΜΕΛΟI ΤΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟΥ
ΥΠΕΥΘΥΝΟI ΣΗΜΕΡΑ
Δημήτριος Παγούνης, Ελένη Ράση & Αγγέλα Σερμανόπουλος

GOSPEL READING
LUKE (5:1-11)
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he
saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of
them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats,
which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land.
And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when
he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep
and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and
took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this,
they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their
partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats,
so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying,
"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who
were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and
John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not
be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to
land, they left everything and followed him.
Today we commemorate:
SAINTS
Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles
The Commemoration of the Miracle of the Theotokos Myrtidiotissis in Kythyra
Silouan of Athos
Stephen the Martyr
The Most Holy Theotokos of Palianis
Coprios the Righteous
Juvenaly & Peter the Aleut, New Martyrs of Alaska

ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΚΟΠΗ
ΚΑΤΑ ΛΟΥΚΑΝ (5:1-11)
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἑστὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς παρὰ τὴν λίμνην Γεννησαρέτ,
καὶ εἶδε δύο πλοῖα ἑστῶτα παρὰ τὴν λίμνην· οἱ δὲ ἁλιεῖς
ἀποβάντες ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀπέπλυναν τὰ δίκτυα. ἐμβὰς δὲ εἰς ἓν τῶν
πλοίων, ὃ ἦν τοῦ Σίμωνος, ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς
ἐπαναγαγεῖν ὀλίγον· καὶ καθίσας ἐδίδασκεν ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου τοὺς
ὄχλους. ὡς δὲ ἐπαύσατο λαλῶν, εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίμωνα·
ἐπανάγαγε εἰς τὸ βάθος καὶ χαλάσατε τὰ δίκτυα ὑμῶν εἰς ἄγραν. καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Σίμων
εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἐπιστάτα, δι᾿ ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς κοπιάσαντες οὐδὲν ἐλάβομεν· ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ ῥήματί
σου χαλάσω τὸ δίκτυον. καὶ τοῦτο ποιήσαντες συνέκλεισαν πλῆθος ἰχθύων πολύ·
διερρήγνυτο δὲ τὸ δίκτυον αὐτῶν. καὶ κατένευσαν τοῖς μετόχοις τοῖς ἐν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πλοίῳ
τοῦ ἐλθόντας συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἦλθον καὶ ἔπλησαν ἀμφότερα τὰ πλοῖα, ὥστε
βυθίζεσθαι αὐτά. ἰδὼν δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος προσέπεσε τοῖς γόνασιν ᾿Ιησοῦ λέγων· ἔξελθε
ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἁμαρτωλός εἰμι, Κύριε· θάμβος γὰρ περιέσχεν αὐτὸν καὶ πάντας τοὺς
σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἄγρᾳ τῶν ἰχθύων ᾗ συνέλαβον, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ᾿Ιάκωβον καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην,
υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίου, οἳ ἦσαν κοινωνοὶ τῷ Σίμωνι. καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίμωνα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μὴ
φοβοῦ· ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπους ἔσῃ ζωγρῶν. καὶ καταγαγόντες τὰ πλοῖα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν,
ἀφέντες ἅπαντα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
GREAT VESPERS - Saturday, September 30 at 6:00 PM
GREAT VESPERS - Saturday, October 14 at 6:00 PM
ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΕΣ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΕΣ
ΑΠΟΔΕΙΠΝΟΣ -Σάββατο, 30 Σεπτεμβρίου στις 6:00 μμ
ΑΠΟΔΕΙΠΝΟΣ -Σάββατο, 14 Οκτωβρίου στις 6:00 μμ

This week’s Sermon
Fishers of Men.
St. Luke 5 (1-11)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Today’s Gospel is speaking to us about something very contemporary.
Many Churches in this country and in the world are
worried that they may close their doors very soon. We also are always concerned that
the younger generation, our children and grandchildren, do not come to Church with
us anymore.
Christ came to this world to find all the lost sheep of Israel. In today’s Gospel
he tells his disciples that they can go deep into the sea and throw their nets when they
had just come out empty handed. The central message here is that they do not believe
it was possible. After they discover that they have caught so many fish instead of
thanking him they tell him to go away from them.
This, dear brothers, and sisters is the problem of the modern churches. We rely
on our ability, and we fail. And when we fail, we think it is because what we try to do
was impossible instead of correcting our attitude. Today we learn that what is impossible
for us is what God does daily. God is in the business of changing people’s hearts
and bringing them to Himself. We Christians are called to be God’s coworkers in the
process of the salvation of the world. If we want to be His disciples, we need to
change our attitude. If we want to bring others to “our” Church, we need to make sure
to become His disciples first. By bringing others to our Church, we are bringing people
to Christ and if we are not his disciples our labor is in vain.
So let us make a commitment today that every day from now on is going to be
a day of opportunity, a day of coming closer to Christ. Let us also remember that we
are not here for ourselves only but for others who are seeking for him. Let us all become
fishers of men for Him. And when they come let us embrace them and thank
God for them now and forever.
Amen
Journey through the Daily Gospels
Sunday Sermons

Κύρηγμα της εβδομάδας
Αγαπητοί εν Χριστώ αδελφοί,
Το σημερινό Ευαγγέλιο μας μιλάει για κάτι πολύ σύγχρονο.
Πολλές Εκκλησίες σε αυτή τη χώρα και στον κόσμο
ανησυχούν ότι μπορεί να κλείσουν τις πόρτες τους πολύ
σύντομα. Κι εμείς επίσης ανησυχούμε ότι η νέα γενιά, τα παιδιά και τα εγγόνια μας,
δεν έρχονται πλέον στην Εκκλησία μαζί μας.
Ο Χριστός ήρθε σε αυτόν τον κόσμο για να βρει όλα τα χαμένα πρόβατα του
Ισραήλ. Στο σημερινό Ευαγγέλιο, λέει στους μαθητές του, ότι μπορούν να μπουν
βαθιά στη θάλασσα και να ρίξουν τα δίχτυα τους, λίγη ώρα αφού βγήκαν με άδεια
χέρια. Το κεντρικό μήνυμα εδώ είναι ότι δεν πιστεύουν ότι αυτό είναι δυνατόν. Αφού
ανακαλύψουν ότι έχουν πιάσει τόσα πολλά ψάρια αντί να τον ευχαριστήσουν, του
λένε να φύγει μακριά από αυτούς.
Αυτό, αγαπητοί αδελφοί και αδελφές, είναι το πρόβλημα της σύγχρονης
εκκλησίας. Βασιζόμαστε στην ικανότητά μας και αποτυγχάνουμε. Και όταν
αποτύχουμε, νομίζουμε ότι αυτό οφείλεται στο ότι αυτό που προσπαθούμε να
κάνουμε δεν είναι εφικτό, αντί να διορθώσουμε τη στάση μας. Σήμερα μαθαίνουμε
ότι αυτό που είναι αδύνατο για εμάς είναι αυτό που κάνει ο Θεός σε καθημερινή
βάση. Ο Θεός ασχολείται με το να αλλάξει τις καρδιές των ανθρώπων και να τους
φέρει κοντά Του. Εμείς οι Χριστιανοί καλούμαστε να γίνουμε συνεργάτες του Θεού
στη διαδικασία της σωτηρίας του κόσμου. Αν θέλουμε να είμαστε μαθητές Του,
πρέπει να αλλάξουμε τη στάση μας. Εάν θέλουμε να φέρουμε άλλους στην
«Εκκλησία μας», πρέπει πρώτα να γίνουμε μαθητές Του. Φέρνοντας άλλους στην
Εκκλησία μας φέρνουμε ανθρώπους στον Χριστό και αν δεν είμαστε μαθητές του, η
δουλειά μας είναι μάταιη.
Ας δεσμευτούμε λοιπόν σήμερα ότι κάθε ημέρα από τώρα και στο εξής θα
είναι μια ημέρα ευκαιρίας, μια ημέρα που μας φέρνει πιο κοντά στον Χριστό. Ας
θυμηθούμε επίσης ότι δεν είμαστε εδώ μόνο για τον εαυτό μας, αλλά και για τους
άλλους που Τον αναζητούν. Ας γίνουμε όλοι ψαράδες ανθρώπων γι 'Αυτόν. Και όταν
έρχονται ας τους αγκαλιάσουμε και ας ευχαριστήσουμε το Θεό για αυτούς τώρα και
για πάντα.
Αμήν

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles
The Holy Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekla was born in
the city of Iconium. She was the daughter of rich and illustrious parents,
and she was distinguished by extraordinary beauty. At eighteen
years of age they betrothed her to an eminent youth. But after she
heard the preaching of the holy Apostle Paul about the Savior, Saint
Thekla with all her heart came to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and she
steadfastly resolved not to enter into marriage, but rather to devote
all her life to preaching the Gospel.
Saint Thekla’s mother was opposed to her daughter’s plans and insisted
that she marry her betrothed. Saint Thekla’s fiancé also complained to the prefect of
the city about the Apostle Paul, accusing him of turning his bride against him. The prefect
locked up Saint Paul in prison.
During the night Saint Thekla secretly ran away from her house, and she bribed the prison
guards, giving them all her gold ornaments, and so made her way into the prison to the
prisoner. For three days she sat at the feet of the Apostle Paul, listening to his fatherly precepts.
Thekla’s disappearance was discovered, and servants were sent out everywhere
looking for her. Finally, they found her in the prison and brought her home by force.
At his trial Saint Paul was sentenced to banishment from the city. Again they urged Saint
Thekla to consent to the marriage, but she would not change her mind. Neither the tears of
her mother, nor her wrath, nor the threats of the prefect could separate Saint Thekla from
her love for the Heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Her mother in a insane rage demanded from the judges a death sentence against her unyielding
daughter, and Saint Thekla was sentenced to be burned. Without flinching, the
holy martyr went into the fire and made the Sign of the Cross over herself. At this moment
the Savior appeared to her, blessing her present deed, and inexpressible joy filled
her holy soul.
The flames of the fire shot up high, but the martyr was surrounded by a light and the
flames did not touch her. Thunder boomed, and a strong downpour of rain and hail extinguished
the fire. The torturers scattered in fear. Saint Thekla, kept safe by the Lord, left
the city and with the help of a certain Christian youth, searched for the Apostle Paul. The
holy apostle and his companions, among whom was Saint Barnabas, were hidden in a
cave not far from the city, praying fervently, that the Lord would strengthen Saint Thekla
in her sufferings.

After this, Saint Thekla went with them preaching the Gospel in Antioch. In this city she
was pursued by a certain dignitary named Alexander, who was captivated by her beauty.
Saint Thekla refused his offer of marriage, and so she was condemned to death for being
a Christian. Twice they set loose hungry wild animals upon her, but they would not touch
the holy virgin. Instead, they lay down meekly and licked her feet.
The Providence of God preserved the holy martyr unharmed through all her torments.
Finally, they tied her to two oxen and began to chase her with red-hot rods, but the strong
cords broke asunder like cobwebs, and the oxen ran off, leaving Saint Thekla unharmed.
The people began shouting, “Great is the God of the Christians!” The prefect himself became
terrified, realizing that the holy martyr was being kept safe by the Almighty God,
Whom she served. He then gave orders to set free the servant of God Thekla.
With the blessing of the Apostle Paul, Saint Thekla then settled in a desolate region of
Isaurian Seleucia and dwelt there for many years, constantly preaching the Word of God
and healing the sick through her prayer. Saint Thekla converted many pagans to Christ,
and the Church appropriately names her as “Equal-to-the-Apostles.” Even a pagan priest,
trying to assault her purity and punished for his impudence, was brought by her to holy
Baptism. More than once the Enemy of the race of man tried to destroy Saint Thekla
through people blinded by sin, but the power of God always preserved this faithful servant
of Christ.
When Saint Thekla was already a ninety-year-old woman, pagan sorcerers became incensed
at her for treating the sick for free. They were unable to comprehend that the saint
was healing the sick by the power of the grace of Christ, and they presumed that the virgin-goddess
Artemis was her special helper. Envious of Saint Thekla, they sent their followers
to defile her. When they came near her, Saint Thekla cried out for help to Christ
the Savior, and a rock split open and hid the holy virgin, the bride of Christ. Thus did
Saint Thekla offer up her holy soul to the Lord.
The holy Church glorifies the Protomartyr Thekla as “the glory of women and
guide for the suffering, opening up the way through every torment.” From of old many
churches were dedicated to her, one of which was built at Constantinople by the holy
Equal of the Apostles Constantine (May 21). The Protomartyr Thekla, a prayerful intercessor
for ascetics, is also invoked during the tonsure of women into monasticism.

In Appreciation for Icon Donations
We celebrate all the saints whose icons have been
dedicated by our parishioners. On the Sunday following
the Feast of the Saint we offer Artoklasia and a
trisagion service for the good health of the living
members and eternal memory of the deceased members
of the donor family.
Γιορτάζουμε όλους τους αγίους των οποίων οι
εικόνες έχουν αφιερωθεί από τους ενορίτες μας. Την
Κυριακή που ακολουθεί την εορτή του Αγίου
προσφέρουμε Αρτοκλασία και τρισάγιο για την
υγεία των ζώντων μελών και για την αιώνια μνήμη
των εκλιπόντων μελών του δότρια οικογένεια.
ARTOKLASIA, TRISAGION THIS WEEK
This Sunday we offer Artoklasia for the good health of the living members
& a Trisagion Service for the eternal memory of the deceased
members of Bozaglu family.
ΑΡΤΟΚΛΑΣΙΑ, ΤΡΙΣΑΓΙOΝ ΑΥΤΗ ΤΗΝ ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΑ
Αυτή την Κυριακή προσφέρουμε Αρτοκλασία για την καλή υγεία των εν
ζωή μελών & Τρισάγιο για την αιωνία μνήμη των εκλιπόντων μελών της
οικογένειας Bozaglu.

WELCOME
We are glad you are here!
We hope you find a warm
welcome among us.
How May we serve you?
Name(s):
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Address:
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Preferred Phone:
Comments:
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□ Membership
□ Sacrament
□ House Blessing
□ Hospital Visit
□ Please contact me.
□ Note change of information
Prayer Requests:
Fr. Anthony prays for all living and the
departed during communion preparation.
Requestor:
Helpful Hints
Contribution
Infants and children are always welcome
in worship.
A “wiggle room” is set up in the narthex
for those little ones who need a bit more
space and activity (you can still hear the
service).
Please silence your mobile devices during
worship.

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