Thriving Congregations Initiatives

 
Thriving Congregations Initiative Update
 
We will continue to host Parish Nights on the second Saturdays of the month. In the next few weeks, the online calendar and future bulletins will contain more details on these evenings, but we will always begin with vespers in the church and then follow with a meal. These evenings are designed for different ages, ministries, and interest groups to gather in prayer and fellowship and where we examine how we can better serve our church and the wider community. Our future programming will be about prayer in the home, philanthropy, evangelism, and other activities.
 
TCI has also begun planning a Welcome Ministry, which will focus on greeting, conversing with, and guiding visitors to our church. Ministry members will approach anyone who is not familiar and ensure that they are cordially invited into our community. The guests could be Orthodox Christians traveling from afar or visiting from a different parish within our Metropolis, or they might be someone who has never been inside an Orthodox Christian church. We plan to have a Welcoming Table at coffee hour to ensure that a visitor will be able to engage someone in conversation while enjoying refreshments. Lastly, the Ministry will be able to direct someone to deepen that person's relationship with our parish, whether through introducing the visitor to other parishioners, clarifying how to contact our priests, or introducing them to helpful materials to help them on their spiritual path. This last feature will also connect a person with our Resource Center, which will have an expanded presence on our church campus.
 
Please email thrive@stvasilios.org if you are interested in joining the Welcome Ministry or if you have any ideas that will help improve our parish's events, philanthropy, and spiritual life.
 
In Christ,
Alexander Ruggeri

 

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Ministry Resources
SUNDAY WEEKLY WORSHIP GUIDE
View our weekly Weekly Sunday Bulletin here. Learn more »
ORTHODOX LIFE: MONTHLY BULLETIN
Archives of the St. Vasilios monthly bulletin Orthodox Life. Learn more »
PARISH MINISTRIES BOOKLET
Information about various ministries at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church Learn more »
Orthodox Marketplace
The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Learn more »
Send an Iconogram
Send a message to a loved one or a friend in celebration of a name day, feast day, or sacrament. Learn more »
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Upcoming Events

Church Calendar - Services & Events > Click Here

 

Explanation of Hymns Following the Gospel

Apolytikion
The Apolytikion, or “dismissal hymn,” is a short Orthodox hymn that summarizes the meaning of a feast day or honors the saint of the day. Sung at Vespers, Matins, and the Divine Liturgy, it reflects the spiritual theme of the celebration.

Kontakion
A Kontakion is a short Orthodox hymn or “poetic sermon” that reflects the meaning of a feast or sacred theme. Originating in the Byzantine era, it was once a longer hymn, though today only its opening verses are typically sung in worship.

 

Sunday Worship Services (live streaming on 1st Sunday of the month only)

Orthros at 8:00 am

Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am

Memorial Service follows the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy

 

Special Liturgical Services & Commemorations

Service of Proskomide
The Proskomide, or Office of Oblation, is the preparation service for Holy Communion during the Divine Liturgy. Parishioners may submit names of the living and departed for commemoration by the priest during the service. Please provide names to the sexton in the narthex before Orthros begins.

Artoklasia
Artoklasia, meaning “breaking of bread,” is a special thanksgiving service offered on feast days or family occasions. Celebrated at the end of Divine Liturgy or Great Vespers, it commemorates Christ’s blessing of the five loaves that fed the five thousand. Please contact the church office at 978-531-0777 to schedule an Artoklasia.

Memorial Services & Kollyva
Kollyva, a blessed offering of boiled wheat, is prepared for Memorial Services in remembrance of the departed, especially the 40-day memorial. A Trisagion is a shorter memorial prayer service offered in church or at the gravesite without Kollyva. Please contact the church office at 978-531-0777 to schedule a Memorial Service.

Kollyva for Mercy Meals
Kollyva for the Mercy Meal following a funeral may be ordered through a parishioner volunteer. Please contact Niki at 978-578-7292for information or orders.