The Dove

  SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 11: The Parish Council has set the date for a special General Assembly to be held on Sunday, February 11 following services to discuss the Iconography Project .

 

As Jesus entered Jericho a crowd gathered to see him as passed through the town. The people of Jericho must have heard something about Him because the crowd that formed was large. So large in fact, that Zacchaios had to climb a tree just to see Jesus as he walked by. The act of climbing the tree proves to be very significant. In the tree, Jesus sees Zacchaios providing the opportunity for Him to call attention to this man who was despised by the community. Second is the fact that by climbing the tree, Zacchaios demonstrated not just his desire to see Jesus, but allows us to witness the condition of his heart which compelled him to act. We often use this Gospel reading to illustrate Jesus’ knowledge of the condition of the people’s hearts. He sees within Zacchaios, even from a distance, the opportunity and desire for a change of heart called repentance. The people who murmured among themselves about the ‘sinner’ Zacchaios did not understand the opportunity for change, as did Jesus.

Join us on February 2, 2024, at 8:45am for Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00am as we celebrate one of the twelve major feasts of the Orthodox Church, The Presentation of Christ into the Temple. CLICK HERE to learn more about The Presentation of Christ into the Temple.

THREE HIERARCHS CELEBRATION: On Sunday, January 28, the Greek Schools of the Metropolis of Boston will celebrate the feast of the Three Hierarchs at the Cathedral Center in Brookline at 3:00pm. The schools will present Greek poems, in addition to special performances by the dancing groups - the “Metropolis Dance Group” and the “Sons and Daughters of Alexander the Great” which will dance traditional Greek dances from different regions of Greece. THIS EVENT WAS POSTPONED. CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED EVENT

On Sunday, January 14, our Annunciation Cathedral Community celebrated our annual Vasilopita hosted by our beloved Philoptochos. The first piece cut is dedicated to God, as the first of all things should be offered in thanks to God. This piece was given to Jim Tringas, our Parish Council President. The second piece is dedicated to St. Basil the Great, by whom this tradition was developed. This piece was given to the President of our Cathedral Philoptochos Society, Aglaia Georgountzos, who leads the Philoptochos in the philanthropic footsteps of St. Basil. The following piece is dedicated to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the Holy Eparchial Synod. This piece was given to our outgoing Parish Council President, Carol Travayiakis The next piece is dedicated to our spiritual Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston. This piece was given to Pano Coufos, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of Boston. The next pieces were given

 

Ten lepers stood off at a distance, as was customary for they were unclean, and called to Jesus as he entered a village, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Those who were afflicted with leprosy were required to always stay at a distance. Their physical ailment caused them to be looked upon as ceremoniously unclean. If they came in contact, or even close to someone, that person would be considered ceremoniously unclean as well. To be ostracized like this was a heavy and lonesome burden. In addition to their physical ailments, their lives were burdened with despair and depression. So, they called to Jesus with hope. What is interesting to note here is that they called to him by name and accompanied it with a title of honor, ‘Master’. The sick knew within their hearts who he was and what he could do. With compassion, Jesus responded to them and gave them instructions as to what they needed to do to be healed, ‘go and show yourselves to the priests.’ As they went on their way, the

Annually we gather as a community for Vasilopita Sunday in celebration of the feast of St. Basil. The Philoptochos Society on a national level has cultivated St. Basil Academy in Garrison, New York. This feast has been used for years to create awareness of St. Basil Academy and the ministry there. While the manner in which the St. Basil community cares for children in need has changed over the decades, the love for this place and ministry has not. The love for this ministry is what has really allowed for change. Faced with ever changing societal and social demands, the Academy has out of necessity pivoted from what we once knew as an orphanage and school to more of a residential community for youth facing challenges. Thus, St. Basils has created wonderful working relationships with the local community. Additionally, the grounds are used to house pertinent departments of the Archdiocese. On a local level, the Cathedral Philoptochos continues to support the ministry of St. Basils in

 

We congratulate the newly elected Parish Officers . We pray that the Lord strengthens them and helps them in their new responsibilities.  President : Jim Tringas,  Vice President : Jim Karimbakas,  Treasurer : Nicholas Bouritsas,  Asst. Treasurer : Charlie Eliopoulos,  Secretary : Carol Travayiakis,  Asst. Secretary : Elaine Racheotes.  We also congratulate the members of the Parish Council : Eleni Asimacopoulos, Peter Davos, John Douros, Michael Kalambokis, Lula Kiflit, Peter Koshivos, Chuck Papaslis, Teddy Papaslis, and Dimitri Zaferacopoulos.  Πάντα Άξιοι!  

 

 

 Join us on January 17 in Davis Hall following Divine Liturgy as the Annunciation Cathedral's Philoptochos will be hosting our annual Vasilopita Sunday. We hope to see you all there!

  HOLY WATER AND HOME VISITATIONS: As we entered the New Year and celebrated the feast of Epiphany, we traditionally bless our homes. You are welcome to bring a holy water bottle you have at home to be filled or take one of the bottles already filled and use it to bless your home. If you would like Fr. Tom to visit and bless your home, please see him to make an appointment.

The Gospel of Matthew frequently references Old Testament prophesies in order to help the believers see and understand that the plan of God is being fulfilled. We find that the prophesies also have meaning for us today. “…By the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." (Mt 4:13) These words by Isaiah restated in the Gospel of Matthew pertaining to the baptism of Christ, help instruct us on the beginning of Christ’s ministry and speak to us as we navigate our lives. So often we feel as though we are in darkness; darkness in understanding, darkness in relationships, darkness in society, darkness in faith. This does not mean we exist in total darkness, but oftentimes we feel as though we live in the shadows, what Isaiah refers to as the ‘shadow of