The Dove

  Join us for our next bread baking! In December, while the bread is rising, we will continue exploring opportunities to serve our neighbor by learning about the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and the work they are doing in the US and around the world. Please note that we will NOT be meeting on the first Sunday of December. Rather we will meet on the second Sunday to allow more time for our college students to return from their Thanksgiving travels.

  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, Charlie Eliopoulos; Greeter: Michael Kalambokis; Ushers: Jim Karimbakas, Lula Kiflit, Peter Koshivos, Chuck Papaslis. MEMORIAL:  The memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of  Antonios Elias (1 year), and Irene Elias (25 years). Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the soul of Helen Dukas. May their memory be Eternal!   HONORING OUR VETERANS: Today, we will h...

Martyr Orestes the Physician lived in the city of Tyana in Cappadocia during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-311). He was also an illustrious and capable soldier. From childhood he had been a devoted servant of Christ and refused to worship the pagans “gods.” A military officer, Maximinus, was sent to Tyana to stamp out Christianity, which by then had spread throughout Cappadocia. Orestes was among the first brought to trial before the officer. Courageously, he confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The prosecutor offered the Saint riches, honors and fame if he would become an idolater, but St. Orestes would not agree to this. Maximinus tried in many ways, to force him to deny Christ. Even with the pressures they exerted upon him, they were unable to convince him to worship the idols. Then they stripped him naked, beat him up, and flogged him as a punishment. Afterward, he was put in jail for seven days. At the end of the seventh day he was taken to a pagan temple to offer ...

Finding Symbolism: Jerusalem is a place of peace, symbolic of communion with God. Jericho, on the other hand, was renowned as a place of sin. Falling among thieves speaks to the natural consequence of journeying away from God toward a life of sin. The Samaritan, while a despised foreigner, is an image of Christ. The bandages, oil, and wine are sacramental images for (1) the garment of baptism, which delivers us from the wounds of sin; (2) the oil of chrismation, which gives us new life in the Holy Spirit; and (3) the communion of the divine Blood, which leads to eternal life. His own animal indicates Christ bearing our sins in His own body, and the inn reveals the Church in which Christ's care is received. St. Cyril of Alexandria Commentary on Luke Sermon 68: "Very skilfully therefore does the Saviour of all weave the parable of him who fell into the hands of thieves, saying, that when he was lying half dead, and in the last extremity of evil, a priest passed by, and in like ...

  Join us on Sunday, November 10th after Divine Liturgy, as we honor all of those who have served our country. 

  November 3rd was Philoptochos Sunday, celebrated on the Sunday closest to the feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian (November 1), the patron saints of the National Philoptochos. We thank all the Philoptochos members for their dedication to serving our community.  

  On December 3rd, the Cathedral Young Adults and College Students gathered again for their Monthly Bread (Prosphora) Baking after Liturgy. This month while the bread was rising, we were joined by the Philoptochos President, Aglaia Georgountzos. and Philoptochos and Parish Council Board member, Lula Kflit, who shared with our Young Adults the mission of the Philoptochos and some different initiatives they work on throughout the year including the "Operation Housewarming," the "Giving Tree" and working with the Metropolis of Boston's Philoxenia House. 

 

  Join us after Liturgy in Davis Hall on Sunday, December 8th for the Philoptochos Annual Christmas Luncheon! Tickets can be purchased after church or by contacting Kally Badavas.

Abraham's bosom means heaven. Abraham is mentioned among all the righteous because, in stark contrast to the rich man, Abraham showed hospitality to strangers (Gn 18:1–8). The rich man . . . was buried: The Fathers see this as illustrating the state of his merciless soul, buried by the pleasures of the flesh. He was already buried in life by “couches, rugs, furnishings, sweet oils, perfumes, large quantities of wine, varieties of food, and flatterers” (JohnChr). That the rich man remains unnamed indicates that he is ultimately forgotten. The rich man's appeal to Abraham as a spiritual father is not rejected. Rather, Abraham accepts this role, calling the rich man son and showing himself to be compassionate even towards the most wretched of men. The great gulf is not a geographical divide, but the complete separation between virtue and wickedness, a separation that cannot be overcome after death. Note that torments have not changed the rich man's heart, as he still sees Laza...

  On Halloween night, the OCF had a great time pumpkin carving!

St. Winefride (Welsh: Gwenfrewi) was the niece of the great St. Beuno the Wonderworker and she lived with her parents higher up the valley from his cell and wattle chapel, on the hill where the parish church now stands. According to tradition, Caradoc the son of a local chieftain sought refreshment from her while out hunting and then attempted to seduce her. She repelled his advances and ran towards her uncle’s chapel for sanctuary. Caradoc pursued her and in a rage struck off her head with his sword. A spring of water began to flow where her head fell. St. Beuno replaced her head and, through fervent prayer to the Saviour, she was brought back to life. St. Winefride began to follow the monastic life, under the spiritual direction of St. Eleri. She remained with her uncle until he moved to the northern coast of Wales. St. Winefride then traveled west to the hills high above the Conwy Valley and there she established a monastery of nuns in the village of Gwytherin. She passed to her rew...

  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: Nicholas Bouritsas, Chuck Papaslis; Greeter: Elaine Racheotes; Ushers: Tina Savvidis, Carol Travayiakis, Dimitri Zaferacopoulos, Eleni Asimacopoulos. MEMORIAL:  Memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of the   members of the Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos . May their memory be eternal! ARTOKLASIA:  To commemorate the   Feast Day of Saints Cosmas and Damian , patron  Saints of Phil...

  On October 27th, the Sunday School hosted its Annual Fall Festival after Liturgy with our kids dressing up and enjoying fall-themed snacks. 

 

  On November 24th, the OCF was joined by members of the Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC) who shared their experiences as they work with local nonprofit organizations in the Boston area.  What is OVC OVC is a year-long immersive program for young adults ages 21-29 to serve with our neighbors on the margins. At the same time, you live in community with other young adults, explore topics of the faith and leadership, and root yourself in the Church. Learn More

    OCTOBER 28, 1940!     This Day in History § The Morning of OXI Day! At 3:00 am on the morning of October 28, 1940, Italian ambassador Emmanouel Grazzi in Athens gave  a war ultimatum , set to expire in three hours, to Greece’s Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas at his home in Kifissia.     The ultimatum stated that Italy wanted to occupy “some strategic points on Greek territory respecting Greek sovereignty over the rest of the territory.”   Greece’s Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas carefully read the directive and with a stern voice rejected the ultimatum with the words   “Alors, c’est la guerre” (French for “ then it is war!” “ OXI.” At 5:30am on October 28 th , 1940, the Italian army was crossing the border to Albania with Greece.     At 6:00am, Metaxas proceeds to a national radio announcement informing the country that Italy had declared war on Greece and called for every Greek man of age to enlist in defense of Greece.  ...