The Dove

 

  The Ladies Philoptochos Board thanks the community for generously donating children's coats and toys for The Dimock Center. The donations were dropped off and will be distributed to the children who are served by The Dimock Center's early intervention, Head Start, and preschool programs, which serve more than 100 children from infants up to 5 years of age. The Dimock Center, located in Roxbury less than 2 miles from the Cathedral, provides health and support services to children, adults, and families. In addition to the donated coats and toys, the Philoptochos Board voted to donate $1,000 in gift cards using proceeds from the successful St. Nicholas luncheon so The Dimock Center could ensure that each child had a gift to open on Christmas morning. The staff at The Dimock Center was grateful for our Cathedral community's support.

  Introduction On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.

  This past Monday, another group of parishioners from our Annunciation Cathedral gathered at the New England Center and Home for Veterans in Boston to serve meals to our nation's veterans!

  Upcoming News & Events WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. George after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the Pangary: Nikos Bouritsas, Lula Kiflit; Greeter: Peter Koshivos; Ushers: Chuck Papaslis, Tina Savvidis, Carol Travayiakis, Dimitri Zaferacopoulos.    MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls Panayiotis Giannopoulos (3 years) and Georgia Giannopoulos (5 years). May their memory be Eternal!  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Anastasia an...

  The Great Martyr Anastasia was a Roman who suffered for Christ during Diocletian’s persecution of Christians in 304. Her father was a pagan, and her mother was secretly a Christian. As a child, Anastasia was educated by a Christian. After her mother’s death, Anastasia's father gave her in marriage to a pagan named Publius, but by feigning illness, she preserved her virginity. Dressed in the clothing of a beggar, she and her assistants would visit, feed, and heal the Christians suffering in prison. St. Anastasia would later become known as the Deliverer from Potions, since by her intercessions, she has healed many from the effects of potions, poisons, and other harmful substances. When Publius heard of this, he beat his wife and confined Anastasia to her room. Publius would later die by drowning after setting out for Persia. Anastasia would distribute his wealth to the poor and continue her ministry. Diocletian received word that the Christian captives refused to denounce their fa...

This parable operates on two levels, illustrating both the first and second coming of Christ, who is the servant sent to gather many. Supper indicates evening, the end of the age. The people invited are first the Jews, then all mankind. Those in the streets and lanes indicate (1) the Gentiles who accepted Christ after the faithless Jews rejected Him, and (2) those outside the Church replacing those within who have rejected their own baptism. The Fathers see the three excuses as having both a literal meaning, that many are too attached to worldly cares to accept the Kingdom of God (v. 26; 18:29), and spiritual meanings. St. Ambrose sees the three excuses of I cannot come representing the Gentile, the Jew, and the heretic. The Gentile's devotion to earthly wealth is represented by the piece of ground, the Jew's enslavement to the five books of the Law by the five yoke of oxen, and the heretic's espousal of error by the man refusing on account of his wife. Theophylact more gen...

  Introduction The Sunday that falls between December 11-17 is known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. These are the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, who lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, “In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3, 22:18). Righteous Benjamin ~ The youngest son of Jacob, he was called Benoni and then Benjamin (Gen. 35:16-18). Before his death Jacob blessed him in a seemingly backhanded way, saying that “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, devouring his prey in the morning, and dividing the spoil in the evening” (Gen. 49:27). Commentators say this is not a reference to Benjamin himself, but to the warlike nature of the tribe of Benjamin. Righteous Deborah ~ Information about the holy Prophetess and Judge Deborah may be found in the Book of Jud. 4:5-14, and also chapter 5. Righteous Hezron ~ The Righteous Hezron is mentioned in the Old Testament genealogies: Gen. 46:12...

  This Saint had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus, or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded. The Eparch Caribus, who had tortured Saint Eleutherius, also came to believe in Christ and was executed. Apolytikion of Hieromartyr Eleutherios and Anthia - ...

 

 Upcoming News & Events WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. George after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the:  Pangary : Jim Karimbakas, Carol Travayiakis; Greeter : Dimitri Zaferacopoulos; Ushers : Eleni Asimacopoulos, Charlie Eliopoulos, Michael Kalambokis, Jim Karimbakas. MEMORIAL : The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the soul of Mary Gardikas (1 year). Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of Catherine Kokinos (9 years), Constance Kokinos-Theoharis (21 years), and George Kokinos (30 years). May...

  Join us after Liturgy on December 22 for our Sunday School's Christmas Pageant!

  The St. Nicholas luncheon is an annual tradition that the Cathedral Philoptochos hosts. Our community looks forward to celebrating together during this festive season. Proceeds from this event are used to help organizations that support disadvantaged children and youth. For example, the Philoptochos used proceeds from the 2023 event to make a donation to the St. Basil Academy Experience Fund, which supports enrichment activities for the children and youth at the academy so they can take dance lessons, therapeutic art classes, and special excursions to places like the museum, aquarium, or zoo. We were also able to make a donation for a scholarship to the Metropolis of Boston summer camp.  Thank you to the Toubekis and Akrivlellis families for generously donating the meal in memory of Nick Toubekis, who passed away in 2023. He was a kind man, who volunteered at the Cathedral, and enjoyed attending the St. Nicholas luncheon every year. We miss him dearly.  Thank you to Fra...

 

Introduction According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8). - GOARCH The Story The New Testament does not mention anything about St. Anna, the mother of the Theotokos. According to Tradition, the priest Matthan (Matthew 1:15), a resident of Bethlehem, had three daughters: Mary (Mother of St. Anna, grandmother of the Theotokos), Sobe, and Anna. Mary was married in Bethlehem, where she gave birth to Elizabe...

  Upcoming News & Events WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. George after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the Pangary: Nick Bouritsas, Jim Karimbakas; Greeter: Lula Kiflit; Ushers: Peter Koshivos, Chuck Papaslis, Elaine Racheotes, Tina Savvidis. TRISAGION: Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of Presbytera Theodora Stamatos Economos (4 years), Priest George Nicholas Economos (8 years), Katina Pateri Stamatos (26 years), and Nicholas Apostolos Stamatos (42 years). May their memory be Eternal!  PHILOPTOCHOS ST. NICHOLAS LU...

St. Patapios was born at Thebes, Egypt into a pious Christian family. Reaching the age of maturity, he scorned the vanity of this world, and so he went into the Egyptian desert where he became known for his ascetic deeds. Though he wished to live in silence, people began coming to him for advice. He offered every pilgrim who visited him in the desert hospitality and spiritual counsel. St. Patapios reputation spread quickly and many came to him seeking guidance. Later he went to Constantinople. Even here he quickly became known as a spiritual guide and healer to those in need. Once a certain woman was afflicted by the terrible disease of cancer, and worms came forth from her breasts. Not only did she suffer a great deal of pain in her chest, but throughout her entire body as well. She was in constant pain, and it reached her heart, so that she was near death. The doctors could not help her, and she felt she was wasting her money without obtaining relief. Therefore, she came to Saint Pat...

"Do not withhold goods from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act . (Proverbs 3:27) The Annunciation Cathedral's Philoptochos is excited to announce the start of its Annual Giving Tree in support of the Dimock Center. Please bring the items to the Church by Sunday, December 15th! How it Works: Pick up an ornament from the Christmas tree and purchase the gift listed on the ornament. Then, leave the gift unwrapped under the Christmas tree and keep the ornament as a gift. What is the Dimock Center? The Dimock Center serves communities in Boston and across the state, providing health and community care, behavioral health services and child and family services to more than 19,000 people annually. You can learn more about the Dimock Center HERE .

  On December 1, 2024, our Annunciation Cathedral community was blessed to be visited by our former dean, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden, and all of Scandinavia. May God grant His Eminence many years! Εισ πολλα ετη Δεσποτα!

  On November 17, the Annunciation Philoptochos generously hosted Friendsgiving for the OCF of the Fenway Colleges. Joined by Dn. Andrew Bushel, our local college students joined in fellowship and a delicious meal.

 

Join us on Sunday, December 1st as we welcome former Cathedral Dean, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and all of Scandinavia, who will preside over services for the 14th Sunday of Luke. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00am.  November 20, 2024 Dear Cathedral Family, It is with great pleasure that our Cathedral Community welcomes H.E. Metropolitan of Sweden and All Scandinavia, The Very Reverend Cleopas Strongylis to officiate The Liturgy on Sunday, December 1, 2024. H.E. Metropolitan Cleopas Strongylis served as Dean at our Cathedral from 2009 to 2014. During His tenure at our Cathedral, Fr. Cleopas worked collaboratively with all our Cathedral constituents. He aimed to strengthen our Youth Programs, introduced a Children’s Musical Group, strengthened our Greek School, Sunday School and GOYA Programs, and introduced the very successful monthly Speaker Series Program. He was instrumental in collaborating with several organizations among the Greek American Co...

  Upcoming News & Events WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. George after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the Pangary: Nick Bouritsas, Michael Kalambokis; Greeter: Jim Karimbakas; Ushers: Lula Kiflit, Peter Koshivos, Chuck Papaslis, Elaine Racheotes.   MEMORIAL:  The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of  Yiorgos Cleary (Klironomos) (11 years), and Eleni Cleary (Klironomos) (14 years). Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of Anna Lemonias (5 years), and James Lemonias (9 yea...