Weekly Events

 

Weekly Updates

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2025

The 11th Sunday of Luke • Ἡ 11η Κυριακή τοῦ Λουκά
Orthros 8:00 am • Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

Memorial Prayer Services: Thoe Haliou – 9 Months; Pete Stergakos – 3 years;
Sophia Pamousis – 4 years; Chriso Orros – 10 years & Louis Orros – 32 years
Stylianos Thoma – 12 years & Panagiotis Karolidis – 15 years

40-Day Blessing

Casen Patrick Euell, Son of Ryan Euell & Kristin Dawes

Coffee Hour Sponsored by the Stergakos Family

Parish Council Elections at 12:00 noon in Church Community Hall

PTO Christmas Dinner for Greek School Teachers 6:00 pm
Goccia D’Oro II, 485 West Montauk Hwy, Lindenhurst, NY 11757

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025

St. Eleftherios the Hieromartyr • Ἅγιος Ἐλευθέριος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας

Orthros 8:00 am • Divine Liturgy 9:15 am

Bible Study Class in Upper Hall & on Google Meet 7:00 – 8:00 pm

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025

Food Pantry 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

AHEPA Bingo in Upper Hall 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025

Greek Regents Classes 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos 6:00 pm
Παράκληση στήν Ὑπεραγία Θεοτόκο μας 6.00 μμ

Conversational Greek Class 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

In-Person Adult Greek Classes – Beginners 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Catechism Class in Upper Hall 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
(Catechism classes are required if you desire to become Eastern Orthodox.)

Online Adult Greek Classes 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

GOYA Volleyball 7:30 pm

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025

Food Pantry 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos 11:00 am
Παράκληση στήν Ὑπεραγία Θεοτόκο μας 11.00 πμ

Seniors & Friends Gathering 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

In-Person Adult Greek Classes – Intermediate & Advanced 7pm – 8pm

GOYA Meeting 7:15 pm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

Greek Afternoon School 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

HOPE & JOY Pajama Movie Night – “Elf” Movie 8:00 pm

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025

Mommy & Me Class 11:00 am – 12:00 noon

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2025

The Sunday Before the Nativity • Ἡ Κυριακή πρό τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ

Orthros 8:00 am • Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

Baptism at 1:30 pm: Callie Grace Audette, Daughter of Scott & Melissa Audette

Children’s Christmas Pageant in Church

PTO Breakfast with Santa & Chinese Auction, Church Community Hall

Weekly Sermon

 

Beloved in Christ,

Today the Lord sets before us the Parable of the Great Supper, reminding us that the Kingdom of God is already present among us through Christ, who lovingly invites each of us to His heavenly banquet (Luke 14:16–24). God prepares all things; the only thing that can keep us from this joy is our own unwillingness to respond.

In the parable, those first invited offered excuses—work, possessions, relationships. None of these things are evil, yet they became obstacles because they were placed above God. The Lord teaches us that the cares of this world can choke the life of the soul when they become excuses not to answer His call. So the Master invites others—the poor, the blind, the lame—those with humble and grateful hearts. God looks not at outward appearance but at the heart. The Kingdom is given to
those who approach Him in humility, who value communion with God above everything else.

How do we respond to God’s invitation? By keeping our hearts awake. The Fathers teach us to cultivate hesychia—a quiet stillness before God. In prayer, in the Holy Scriptures, in acts of mercy, and above all in the Holy Eucharist, our spiritual senses are opened, and we begin to taste the joy of the Kingdom even now. God never stops calling us; the
question is whether we will soften our hearts and answer.

As we prepare for the Feast of the Nativity, the Church also brings before us the faith of Abraham, who welcomed the three mysterious visitors—the icon of the Holy Trinity—into his home. Like Abraham, we are invited to open our hearts and receive the Lord with faith, love, and hospitality of soul. Everything in life becomes an invitation from God when we put Him first. Let us not allow our work, possessions, or even good relationships to become excuses. Let us cultivate humility, repentance, and attentiveness, that we may hear Christ saying, “Come, for all things are ready.”

If we respond to His love, the Kingdom is already within us. May we be found among those who hear the call and enter into the eternal banquet prepared for us from the foundation of the world. Amen.

†Rev. Fr. Elias Pappas

 

The November / December Anchor

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