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 (
[email protected] 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 ^