The Dove

Platonis the Nun of Nisibis At first Saint Platonis (Platonίs) was a deaconess, but later she withdrew into the Nisibian desert, where she founded a women's monastery. The Rule of her monastery was known for its strictness. The sisters partook of food only once a day. When they were not praying, they spent their time in monastic labors and various obediences. On Friday, the day commemorating the sufferings of Christ the Savior on the Cross, all work stopped, and the nuns were in church from morning until evening. Between services they read from Holy Scripture and from commentaries. Mother Platonis was a living example of strict monastic asceticism, meekness, and love for one's neighbor for all the sisters. After reaching a ripe old age, Venerable Platonis reposed peacefully in the year 308.   Troparion — Tone 8 (Podoben: "Come, let us worship the Word...") With the streams of your tears, you cultivated the barrenness of the desert, / and by your sighings from the dept...

The Cathedral Philoptochos Board kindly reminds the community that donations for the annual Easter Flower Fund and the list of names for the health of your family and/or in memory of a loved one are due by Friday, April 11. Please mail the list and any donations to Kally Badavas, Annunciation Cathedral Philoptochos, 162 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445. Checks should be made payable to the Cathedral Philoptochos Society "Evangelismos".  All donations are used to pay for the beautiful flowers that decorate icons and the church throughout Holy Lent and Holy Week, including the Anastasi Service and Agape Service. The names of your loved ones who have departed will be read at a special service at the Kouvouklion on Holy Friday just prior to the evening service. The names of your loved ones who are living will be commemorated at the preparation of the gifts during Divine Liturgy. Thank you to all who have already submitted your donations and lists. Your support is greatly appre...

Our Sunday School students created a ladder out of popsicle sticks as they learned about Saint John Climacus, the Ladder of Divine Ascent, and our journey to God.

 

The Holy Apostles Sosthenes was head of the Corinthian synagogue before his conversion. The Apostle Paul converted him to Christianity and made him his helper in his work. In addressing the Corinthian church, St. Paul sent greetings from both of them: “Paul, by the will of God called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and brother Sosthenes...” (1 Cor.1:1). Afterwards, St. Sosthenes was made bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor). In the book of Acts we read the following: “A certain Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, eloquent and well-versed in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Hearing him, Aquila and Priscilla took him and more precisely explained to him the way of the Lord. And when he resolved to go to Achaia, the brethren wrote and asked the disciples to receive him. When he got ther...

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, Charlie Eliopoulos; Greeter: Nicholas Bouritsas; Ushers: Stephen Dragotakes, Constantine T. Kechris, Lula Kiflit, Nick Kanaris. MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of Acrive (Georgia) Haramis (40 days), Mary Guerriero (1 year), Evelyn Papadopoulos (1 year) and Christy Guerriero (8 years). May their memory be Eternal.  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately follo...

Introduction On March 30 and on the Fourth Sunday of Holy Lent the Orthodox Church commemorates our Righteous Father John Climacus. He is called Climacus due to his authorship of the great spiritual work The Ladder of Divine Ascent. His commemoration is designated by the Church on one of the Sundays of Lent as his life and writings affirm him as a supreme bearer and proponent of Christian asceticism. The ascetic example of this great Saint of the Church inspires us in our Lenten journey.

  We invite our Sunday School students to the lower hall after Divine Liturgy for the feast of Sunday of Lazarus on April 12 where our children will be served tastey waffles and have the opportunity to weave palm crosses that will be distributed to the faithful on Palm Sunday! 

  Join us after Divine Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall for our annual Palm Sunday Luncheon on April 13. Adult tickets will be $40, students are $40, and children under 12 eat for free. Please RSVP using one of the numbers above to secure your spot. 

 

  St. Nikon was born in Naples. His father was a pagan, and his mother a Christian. He was not baptized, but his mother secretly instructed him in the tenets of Christianity. Nikon was still a pagan when he reached adulthood. He served as a soldier, and showed unusual courage and strength. Once, Nikon and his military company were surrounded by enemies. In deadly peril, he remembered the Christian precepts of his mother and, signing himself with the Sign of the Cross, he prayed to God, vowing to be baptized if he were saved. Filled with unusual strength, he killed many of the enemy, and put the rest to flight. Once returning home, he gave thanks to God for preserving his life. With the blessing of his mother, he set off in search of a priest. He went up to a high mountain on the island of Chios and spent 8 days in fasting and prayer, entreating the Lord to help him. An angel appeared to St. Nikon in a dream and led him to a monastic community on Mount Ganos led by Bishop Theodosius...

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, Nicole Arsenis; Greeter: Stephen Dragotakes; Ushers: Dimitri Zaferacopoulos, Nicholas Bouritsas, Charlie Eliopoulos, Constantine T. Kechris.   MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the soul of Maria Papagianopoulos (1 year). May her memory be Eternal.  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall. The fe...

  INTRODUCTION - On the Third Sunday of Great and Holy Lent, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services include a special veneration of the Cross, which prepares the faithful for the commemoration of the Crucifixion during Holy Week. Not only does the Sunday of the Holy Cross prepare us for commemoration of the Crucifixion, but it also reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. As we have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24), and will have mortified ourselves during these forty days of the Fast, the precious and life-giving Cross is now placed before us to refresh our souls and encourage us who may be filled with a sense of bitterness, resentment, and depression. The Cross reminds us of the Passion of our Lord, and by presenting to us His example, it encourages us to follow Him in struggle and sacrifice, being refreshed, assured, and comforted...

 

INTRODUCTION On the Second Sunday of Lent the Orthodox Church commemorates our Holy Father Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, the Wonderworker. The feast day of Saint Gregory Palamas is November 14, however, he is commemorated on this Sunday as the condemnation of his enemies and the vindication of his teachings by the Church in the 14th century was acclaimed as a second triumph of Orthodoxy.

  Martyr Sabinus of Egypt The Holy Martyr Sabinus was administrator of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. During a persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Sabinus and some like-minded companions hid in a remote village. His hiding place was revealed by a certainungrateful beggar who had brought him food. The saint used to feed him and help him with money, but the man betrayed him for two pieces of gold. Sabinus was seized with six other Christians, and after torture they were all drowned in the Nile in 287.

  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, Nick Kanaris; Greeter: Peter Koshivos; Ushers: Nikolaos Kontis, Lula Kiflit, Parthena Savvidis, Carol Travayiakis. MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the soul of John Papadakis (20 years). May his memory be Eternal.  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall. The fellowship hour is offered in memory o...

  On Sunday, March 9th, our Annunciation Community celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the triumph of the faith at the 7th Ecumenical Council and the preservation of the tradition of Holy Iconography. After the service, our youth participated in a procession around the church with their favorite icon.

 

INTRODUCTION - The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the first Sunday of Great Lent. The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year the iconoclastic controversy, which had raged on and off since 726, was finally laid to rest, and icons and their veneration were restored on the first Sunday in Lent. Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy."

Saint Caesarius was the son of Saint Gregory (January 1) and Saint Nonna (August 5), and the brother of Saint Gregory the Theologian (January 25). After studying oratory, philosophy, medicine and other subjects in Alexandria, he went to Constantinople, where he became one of the city's leading doctors. Such was his reputation that Emperor Constantius wanted to make him his personal physician. Saint Caesarius thanked him, but declined. When his brother Saint Gregory completed his studies in Athens, he visited Constantinople (between 358 and 360), and there he met Caesarius. So the two brothers returned to Nazianzus together. In 361, when Julian the Apostate became Emperor, Saint Caesarius was summoned to Constantinople to become his physician. Although the evil Emperor was a fierce persecutor of the Church and issued many edicts against Cheistians, he exempted Saint Caesarius from any punishment. Julian repeatedly tried to turn Saint Caesarius away from Christ, but he was unable to ...

  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, Dimitri Zaferacopoulos; Greeter: Nicole Arsenis; Ushers: Nicholas Bouritsas, Charlie Eliopoulos, Constantine T. Kechris, Lula Kiflit. MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of Panagiotis Giannopoulos (1 year), Konstantinos Roumis (2 years) and Vasilios Theodorou (52 years). Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of George Kalambokis, Dimitra Kalambokis, Merop...

 

INTRODUCTION - The Sunday of Forgiveness is the last Sunday prior to the commencement of Great Lent. During the pre-Lenten period, the services of the Church include hymns from the Triodion, a liturgical book that contains the services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), through Great and Holy Saturday. On the Sunday of Forgiveness focus is placed on the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, an event that shows us how far we have fallen in sin and separated ourselves from God. At the onset of Great Lent and a period of intense fasting, this Sunday reminds us of our need for God’s forgiveness and guides our hearts, minds, and spiritual efforts on returning to Him in repentance.

  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, Peter Koshivos; Greeter: Nikolaos Kontis; Ushers: Nicolas Kanaris, Elaine Racheotes, Parthena Savvides, Carol Travayiakis.  TRISAGION: Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of James George Boujoukos (40 days), George Boujoukos, Esther Boujoukos, Charles Dukas, and Gregory Tamis (Tamiolakis). May their memory be Eternal.  FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please note, the fellowship hour will not be of...

    The Hieromartyr Theodotus, a native of Galatia in Asia Minor, was Bishop of Cyrenia in Cyprus. During a time of persecution against Christians under the impious emperor Licinius (311-324), Saint Theodotus openly preached Christ, calling on the pagans to abandon idolatry and turn to the true God. Sabinus, the governor of Cyprus, ordered that Bishop Theodotus be arrested and brought to trial. When he heard about this order, the saint did not wait for the soldiers to be sent after him, but immediately went to the governor saying, “I, whom you seek, am here. I have shown myself in order to preach Christ my God.” The governor ordered that the saint be beaten without mercy, suspended from a tree, raked with sharp implements, and then be taken to prison. Five days later Saint Theodotus was brought to the governor, who presumed that after his tortures the bishop would prefer to renounce Christ, rather than endure new sufferings. However, Saint Theodotus did not cease to preach abo...

 

  SATURDAY OF SOULS: On Saturday, March 8, we will commemorate the 2st Saturday of Souls at the Cathedral on Parker Street. Orthros begins at 8:30 am followed by the Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service at 10:00 am. ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ: Το Σάββατο, 1 Μαρτίου, θα έχουμε το 2ο Ψυχοσάββατο  στον  Καθεδρικό Ναό. Ο Όρθρος θα  αρχίσει στις 8.30 πμ. και θα ακολουθήσει η Θεία Λειτουργία και το Μνημόσυνο στις 10:00 πμ.

  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, Stephen Dragotakes; Greeter: Constantine T. Kechris; Ushers: Dimitri Zaferacopoulos, Nicholas Bouritsas, Charlie Eliopoulos, Lula Kiflit. MEMORIAL: The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of George and Kalliroe Georgountzos, Theone and Vasilios Orphanos, Aglaia and Sotirios Chrysikos, Eugenia Georgountzos and Menelaos Kariofyllis. Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls ...

  INTRODUCTION - The Sunday of the Last Judgment is the third Sunday of a three-week period prior to the commencement of Great Lent. During this time, the services of the Church have begun to include hymns from the Triodion, a liturgical book that contains the services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), through Great and Holy Saturday. On this day, focus is placed on the future judgment of all persons who will stand before the throne of God when Christ returns in His glory.