The Dove

St. Macarius the Great of Egypt was born in the early 4th century in Ptinapor, Egypt. At the wish of his parents he entered into marriage, but was soon widowed. After he buried his wife, Macarius told himself, “Take heed, Macarius, and have care for your soul. It is fitting that you forsake worldly life.” Until his parents died, St. Macarius helped his parents and prayed that the Lord would guide him to salvation. The Lord sent him an elder who excepted St. Macarius with love and guided him through the faith. Evil people slandered the saint, accusing him of seducing a woman from a nearby village. They dragged him out of his cell and jeered at him. Saint Macarius endured the temptation with great humility. Without a murmur, he sent the money that he got for his baskets for the support of the pregnant woman. The innocence of St. Macarius was manifested when a woman was not able to give birth. She confessed that she had slandered the hermit, and revealed the name of the real father. When ...

And why did He not rather say, "I will, be you cleansed;" as he did in the case of another leper: but commanded them rather to show themselves unto the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy: for it commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing. He commanded them therefore to go, as being already healed, and, that they might, so to speak, bear witness to the priests, as the rulers of the Jews, and ever envious of His glory, that wonderfully, and beyond their hope, they had been delivered from their misfortune by Christ's willing that they should be healed. He did not heal them first, but sent them to the priests, because the priests knew the marks of leprosy, and of its being healed. He sent them to the priests, and with them He sent also the healing. What however was the law of leprosy, and what the rules for its purification, and what the meaning of each of ...

  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, Eleni Asimacopoulos; Greeter: Charlie Eliopoulos; Ushers: Michael Kalambokis, Jim Karimbakas, Lula Kiflit, Chuck Papaslis. MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of Eleni (Roumeliotis) Tzanos (40 days) and Kostadinos Tzanos (40 days). May their memory be Eternal!  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro...

The Cathedral Philoptochos is pleased to announce that Sunday School student Jacob Madjarov and Stephanie (Badavas) Tobin were the lucky winners of the Vasilopita coins. We wish them much happiness in 2025 and thank the community for the donations they made during the special collection tray. All proceeds from last Sunday's collection will support St. Basil Academy and youth and young adult programs throughout the Archdiocese.

 

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:  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 of Susan Galatis (1 year), Nicholas Galatis (2 years), Maria Ploumis (4 years), Nick Ploumis (7 years) . Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of Anthony Andreadis, Demetra Halulakos, Pan...

  The Martyr Tatiana was born into a respected Roman family. Her father, an elected consul, was secretly a Christian and raised his daughter in the Church. St.Tatiana disdained earthly riches and committed herself to being a virgin for Christ and serving those in need. During the reign of 16-year-old Alexander Severus, Christians were heavily persecuted. St. Tatiana, being arrested, was brought to the Temple of Apollo to offer sacrifice. Through her prayers, an earthquake smashed the idols, and the temple collapsed. The daemon inhabiting the temple fled. Then they tore her eyes out with hooks, but she bravely endured everything, praying for her tormentors that the Lord would open their spiritual eyes. And the Lord heard the prayer of His servant. The executioners saw four angels encircle the saint and beat her tormentors. A voice was heard from the heavens speaking to the holy virgin. 8 men believed in Christ and fell on their knees before St. Tatiana, begging for forgiveness. For ...

  What is the meaning behind the Blessing of the Waters service? This was the question that little Israelite children were taught to ask at the Passover seder ritual (Ex. 12:26). This same question we too should ask in the month of January as we celebrate the Baptism of Christ. Through the liturgies of Epiphany and the blessings of homes, we also re- celebrate our own Baptisms, which are simply reenactments of His Baptism. The feast of Epiphany (also called Theophany) has always been a major feast day in the church right behind Pascha with each of the four Gospels retelling the story of that day. These stories from the Gospel paint a fairly simple picture. Christ enters the Jordan River with St. John the Baptist. After he comes out of the water, the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove and the voice of God says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” To comprehend the deeper meaning, you must look back at the book of Genesis. There we read...

 

INTRODUCTION The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God. Icon of the Feast The Icon of the Feast of Theophany tells the story from the Gospels in images and color. On the left side of the icon we see John the Baptist who is dressed in camel’s hair and has the appearance of one who lives in the wilderness. His arms are outstretched, showing an attitude of prayer and reverence, but also directing others to Christ. With his right hand he is conducting the baptism. In the center of the icon is Christ being baptized in the Jordan. He is standing in the water wearing a waistcloth, and with His right hand He i...

  The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas suffered in Nicomedia in the year 303. Saint Theopemptus was bishop in Nicomedia in the time of Diocletian. Speaking out against idolatry, he defended the faith in Christ. Because of this, he became one of the first victims of the Diocletian persecution. The saint refused to obey the emperor’s order to worship an idol of Apollo. Saint Theopemptus was thrown into a red-hot furnace, but by the power of God he remained alive. The emperor came to the furnace by night with a detachment of soldiers, and there he saw the saint alive and praying to God. Ascribing the miracle to magic, Diocletian thought to exhaust Saint Theopemptus by depriving him of food and drink for twenty-two days, but the martyr was preserved by the will of God. The emperor brought the famous sorcerer Theonas to overcome Bishop Theopemptus’ supposed magical power. Theonas prepared a poison for Saint Theopemptus, put it into a little cake, and offered it to him to eat. The po...

 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, Chuck Papaslis; Greeter: Carol Travayiakis; Ushers: Eleni Asimacopoulos, Charlie Eliopoulos, Michael Kalambokis, Jim Karimbakas.  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall. The fellowship hour is sponsored by the Parish Council. SPECIAL REQUEST: We are looking for donors to cover the cost of the Christmas cards, the offering envelo...

  The Ladies Philoptochos invites the Cathedral community to join together as we host Vasilopita Sunday and fellowship hour on Sunday, January 12. Pieces of vasilopita will be offered to the community in honor of St. Basil the Great. A coin is tucked in one of the pieces. If you are the lucky parishioner who receives the piece with the coin, please notify Aglaia Georgountzos or any Philoptochos board member. Additionally, the Ladies Philoptochos will pass a special collection tray in support of St. Basil Academy and youth/young adult programs. Wishing the entire Cathedral community many blessings in the new year.

 

You observe how sedulously he affirms that he was taught of Christ, who Himself, without human intervention, condescended to reveal to him all knowledge. And if he were asked for his proof that God Himself thus immediately revealed to him these ineffable mysteries, he would instance his former manner of life, arguing that his conversion would not have been so sudden, had it not been by Divine revelation. For when men have been vehement and eager on the contrary side, their conviction, if it is effected by human means, requires much time and ingenuity. It is clear therefore that he, whose conversion is sudden, and who has been sobered in the very height of his madness, must have been vouchsafed a Divine revelation and teaching, and so have at once arrived at complete sanity. On this account he is obliged to relate his former life, and to call the Galatians as witnesses of past events. That the Only-Begotten Son of God had Himself from heaven vouchsafed to call me, says he, you who were ...

  14,000 Holy Infants were killed by King Herod in Bethlehem. When the time came for the Incarnation of the Son of God and His Birth of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Magi in the East beheld a new star in the heavens, foretelling the Nativity of the King of the Jews. They journeyed immediately to Jerusalem to worship the Child, and the star showed them the way. Having worshipped the divine Infant, they did not return to Jerusalem to Herod, as he had ordered them, but being warned by God in a dream, they went back to their country by another way. Herod finally realized that his scheme to find the Child would not be successful, and he ordered that all the male children two years old and younger at Bethlehem and its surroundings be killed. He thought that the divine Infant, Whom he considered a rival, would be among the dead children. The murdered infants thus became the first martyrs for Christ. The rage of Herod fell also on Simeon the God-Receiver (February 3), who declared before ever...

  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, Charlie Eliopoulos; Greeter: Eleni Asimakopoulos; Ushers: Michael Kalambokis, Jim Karimbakas, Lula Kiflit, Peter Koshivos. MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of Triantafillos Blathras (40 days). May his memory be Eternal!  The candles and the flowers are offered in memory of Triantafillos Blathras by his family. FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately fo...

 

  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.