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Sunday Bulletin
March 24, 2024
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Watch our live-streaming services here: | |
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Upcoming Services & Events
Thur., March 21, 2024
Greek School
5:30 PM
Religious Education
6:30 PM
Fri., March 22, 2024
1st Salutations
6:30 PM
Sat., March 23, 2024
3rd Saturday of Souls
Divine Liturgy
8:30 AM
Greek School
9:00 AM
Lenten Brunch
10:30 AM
Sun., March 24, 2024
Greek Independence Day Celebration
Vespers - St. Basil (Watervliet)
5:00 PM
Mon., March 25, 2024
Office Closed
Annunciation
Divine Liturgy
9:30 AM
Men's Basketball
6:30 PM
Tues., March 26, 2024
Senior Program
12:00 PM
Wed., March 27, 2024
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
9:30 AM
Knitters
12:15 PM
OPA-cize
6:30 PM
Thur., March 28, 2024
Greek School
5:30 PM
Fri., March 29, 2024
2nd Salutations
6:30 PM
Sun., March 31, 2024
Vespers - St. George (South Glens Falls)
5:00 PM
Mon., April 1, 2024
Men's Basketball
6:30 PM
Tues., April 2, 2024
Senior Program
12:00 PM
Daughters of Penelope
6:30 PM
Wed., April 3, 2024
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
9:30 AM
Knitters
12:15 PM
OPA-cize
6:30 PM
Thur., April 4, 2024
Greek School
5:30 PM
Religious Education
6:30 PM
Fri., April 5, 2024
3rd Salutations
6:30 PM
Sat., April 6, 2024
Greek School
9:00 AM
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Please bring an icon to join us for the Procession of Icons! | |
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Cheesefare Luncheon
On behalf of GOYA and JOY, I would like to thank everyone that attended the Cheesefare Luncheon. I would like to thank our advisors for all their help to make it a great event. I would also like to thank everyone who helped in the kitchen to make our luncheon a success. A very special thank you to Fr. Pat for his support and Presvytera Eva, for helping us to organize this event. We would also like to thank Fr. Dennis and Presvytera Candice; Mary and Jim Googas for their support and to the numerous volunteers who gave of their time, talents, and assistance.
Thomas Pallone - GOYA President
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2024 Stewardship
Stewardship Commitment cards for 2024 have been coming in at a steady pace. But, if you have not made your commitment yet for this year, please find the 2024 Commitment cards on the table in the exonarthex or the information table by the church office. And because of the increase in church expenses, please consider increasing your support as best you can. But know that whatever you can offer, your support is always appreciated.
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Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent (2024) His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
The grace of our God of love has once again vouchsafed for us to enter the soul-benefiting period of the Lenten Triodion and arrive at Holy and Great Lent, namely to the arena of ascetic struggle replete with gifts from above and the joy of the Cross and Resurrection. During this blessed period, the spiritual treasure and dynamism of the ecclesiastical life as well as the soteriological reference of all its expressions are revealed with clarity.
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Office E-Mail Address
Please note there is a new e-mail address for the church office.
parishoffice@stsophiaalbany.org
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Please click below for the calendar. We are still in need of teachers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Theodosia Legato at sundayschool@stsophiaalbany.org. | |
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Livestream Committee Volunteers Needed
With our livestream services continuing in use and popularity, more volunteers are needed to allow us to offer this free service to the community. Many service hours have been fulfilled by a very small group and your help is needed. If livestreaming is to be continued for Holy Week and special services, your help is greatly needed sooner than later. Please give a Parish Council member your contact information to find out more and schedule training - High School age (HS volunteer service hours apply) and older are invited to join the committee. Thank you in advance for your willingness to donate your time and talents.
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Easter Donations
There are a number of donations needed for the special services of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Included are donations for the Salutations of the Most Holy Theotokos held on the first five Fridays of Lent. This is when we supplicate our Panagia to support us with her love and to intercede on our behalf to our Father in Heaven. Each of these Friday Salutations features an icon of the Panagia decorated with a wreath of fresh flowers. If you would like to make one of these donations, please call the church office. For a complete listing of all donations needed, please refer to page 37 of the Testament or to the flyer on the information table.
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Festival planning including gathering new content for our Festival Program Book is under way. In addition to pertinent festival information and fun readings, each year the festival book features new recipes from our Philoptochos cookbook. The recipes make the book quite popular with attendees. If you would like to be a sponsor or advertiser or know of a business that would be interested, please take a contract form available either online or on the information table by the church office. Copies of the contract and camera ready ads must be returned to the church office. The deadline for contracts is April 5. | |
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New St. Sophia Website!
We are pleased to inform everyone that St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church has a new website! If you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail Chris Pappis at webmaster@stsophiaalbany.org.
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Only 83 miles away in Litchfield, CT is Camp Saint Paul, a special Greek Orthodox summer camp for youth between the ages of 8-18. Its mission is to foster a deeper connection between campers and their faith, all while creating lasting memories and friendships. Located on Bantam Lake, campers have Greek cooking classes, swimming activities, campfire and skit nights. For further information please see below. | |
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Lent has begun and we are now on our ”Journey to Pascha”. The most beautiful Byzantine Music for Choirs is sung now!
This is the best time for our Jr. High and High School SINGERS to join and sing each Sunday…including the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Sunday of the Holy Cross, Palm Sunday, Holy Tuesday (the Hymn of Kassiane), Holy Thursday (The Crucifixion Hymn), Good Friday, The Lamentations, and Easter Sunday (CHRISTOS Anesti)!
Our Holy Week & Easter services are several weeks after Western (American) Easter, therefore there should not be any conflicts in one service or another.
Also, nothing, I mean nothing you have ever sung with your school chorus, or in a school play, can ever be more challenging or more beautiful than the Orthodox Byzantine Hymns of Holy Week.
I will direct & teach everyone who wants to join and sing, every Saturday before or after dance practice. I will conduct these sessions only if at least 5 boys and/or girls (with the support of their parents), will commit to learning & singing with the choir every Sunday through the end of this season before the Festival.
Please sign up by texting me at (518) 573-7003 with your full name, your singing voice (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass). If I receive at least five (5), hoping for more, I will contact you on when and if we can start.
Harry J. Ermides, Director
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Greek Language & Culture Academy
Our young students will be presenting the annual Greek Independence Day Celebration following church services. Support our wonderful students as they present traditional songs, poems, and dances. A light lunch is sponsored by AHEPA.
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The St. Sophia Greek Language & Culture Academy is looking for an enthusiastic part time Greek teacher for the 2024-2025 school year on Saturday mornings. The student’s ages range from 3 years old to middle school. Grade levels are flexible with competitive hourly wage.
For more information, please call or text Eleni at (518) 669-7293 or e-mail greeklanguageacademy@stsophiaalbany.org.
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Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers
Sunday of Orthodoxy 3/24: St. Basil Watervliet (6 Lansing Ave.)
St. Gregory Palamas 3/31: St. George South Glens Falls (55 Main St.)
Sunday of the Holy Cross 4/7: St. Nicholas Pittsfield (1304 North St.)
Sunday of St. John Climacus 4/14: St. George Albany (1 St. Georges Place)
Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt 4/21: Christ the Savior Ballston Lake (349 Eastline Rd.)
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Epitaphio Flower Collection
Donations of flowers and other specialty items are needed for the many services for Lent and Easter including “flower wreaths” for the icon of our Panagia for Salutation Services and the Akathist Hymn. See the complete listing on the information table or the spring copy of the Testament.
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Lenten Brunch
This will be held following church services on Saturday, March 23 sponsored by Philoptochos. An offering tray will be passed.
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2024 FESTIVAL BAKING SCHEDULE | |
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Kourambiethes
April 9th (Tues 5-7 pm) (prep); April 10th/11th (Wed/Thurs 9 am-3 pm) (bake/package)
Almond Cookies
April 16th (Tues 5-7 pm) (prep); April 17th/18th (Wed/Thurs 9 am-3pm) (bake/package)
Finikia
April 23rd (Tues 6-8 pm) (prep); April 24th (Wed 9 am-3 pm) (bake);
April 25th (Thurs 9 am-3 pm) (dip/package)
Spanakopita/Tiropita
May 8th (Wed 9 am-1 pm) (prep); May 9th/10th (Thurs/Fri 9 am-3 pm) (make pitas)
NYC Pastry Packaging
May 13th/May 14th (Mon/Tues 3-7 pm)
To volunteer, please text or e-mail either:
Mary Patelos at (518) 429-5510 – marepat19@gmail.com or
Marie “Nana” McCullough at (518) 369-2313 – mmccullough11@verizon.net
Thank you!!
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HCHC Diaconate Program
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is now accepting applications for its Certificate for the Diaconate. It is important that potential candidates begin the application as soon as possible to become involved in the regular meetings and training of the Diaconate Program throughout the year. Please click below for more information.
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Study Abroad in Greece
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Hellenic American University announce their partnership with a mission to facilitate educational opportunities in the US and Greece. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on March 22, 2023, outlining the common scope that includes the support of a Greek language initiative, Hellas Alive, and the development of study abroad, civic engagement, faculty, and student exchange opportunities. Please click below for more information.
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CrossRoad 2024
Open to all High School Juniors and Seniors
CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares High School Juniors and Seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition in a deep and meaningful way. CrossRoad offers a space for young people to form authentic and lifelong friendships, ask hard questions, and explore their calling as an Orthodox Christian in the 21st century.
The CrossRoad Summer Program is designed for High School Juniors and Seniors who are interested in exploring their faith and purpose from an Orthodox Christian perspective. It is open to young people from all walks of life, regardless of their background or level of religious education. Whether you are new to the Orthodox Christian faith or were baptized as an infant of the community, the CrossRoad Summer Program is a welcoming and supportive environment where you can deepen your understanding of your faith and connect with other young Orthodox Christians from across the country.
CrossRoad is designed to best meet the needs of Orthodox teens in their Junior or Senior year of High School who desire to deepen their faith in an Orthodox setting. For this reason, applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 18 years old, and should not have graduated high school prior to April of the year they apply. For CrossRoad 2024, we will accept students in the high school class of 2024 or 2025 (Juniors and Seniors).
Please click below for more information or to fill out an application.
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Choir
The choir will be participating in the Divine Liturgy. New members are welcome to join anytime. Please contact me by e-mail or text with info.
Harry Ermides: (518) 573-7003 or hermides92@gmail.com
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CYO Youth Basketball
The CYO Youth Basketball program held here after school has openings for both boys and girls from 3rd grade to 8th grade. The cost is $145 for registration and player’s jersey. E-mail is ballersacademy32@gmail.com. Please click below to view the flyer.
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Food Pantry
“Food Insecurity” is a new catch phrase used to describe people who have limited means and often suffer from hunger. We have a Food Pantry Collection box located near the coatroom. Donations are needed and accepted all year long. When this box is full, a truck from the Food Pantries will pick up our collection to be dispersed to neighborhood food pantries. Last year they delivered 4,139,525 pounds (yes, over 4 million pounds) of food and the need continues to grow. Donations of non-perishable food items, paper supplies, and baby supplies are always needed. Please be a part of this effort to address hunger issues and donate when you can.
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Cookbook
A very nice gift idea for anyone who likes to cook. The Philoptochos “Treasured Greek Recipes” features a great selection of family recipes that fit into today’s focus on eating healthy— the Mediterranean diet -- healthy but also delicious. See Maria Sokaris on Sunday or the church office during the week. The cost is $20 and makes for a lovely hostess gift.
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Greek Heritage Day
On Saturday, April 13 AHEPA District 6 is sponsoring Greek Heritage Day for a Mets-Kansas City Royals game. The afternoon will include the National Anthem sung by the Archdiocesan Cathedral Youth Choir, Traditional Greek Dancing and Music. Over 500 Greeks are expected to be in attendance to show off our Greek pride. Troy AHEPA Chapter 306 is sponsoring a bus trip to the game, accommodating 50 people. The price per person is $110. The trip includes a ticket to the game, chartered bus transportation to and from the game, and lunch. Tickets are on sale now. Please click below for more information.
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AHEPA District 6 Scholarship
Please click below to view the 2024 AHEPA District 6 Scholarship application. Please note that it is a fillable PDF. We prefer that the responses are typed in. The deadline is May 1. If you have any questions, please contact our Scholarship Secretary, Brother Chris Pappis at ahepascholarshiped6@gmail.com.
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AHEPA Chapter 140 Scholarship
Please click below to view the Albany AHEPA Chapter 140 Scholarship application. The deadline is June 30. If you have any questions, please contact George Gregory at gregorikis@aol.com.
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2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships Available
Applications and instructions for six (6) scholarships administered by the Office of the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are available for awards to be made for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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Saint John Chrysostom Clergy Syndesmos of the Archdiocesan District Convened at the Church of Kimisis of the Theotokos Southampton, New York
The Saint John Chrysostom Clergy Syndesmos of the Archdiocesan District convened at the Church of Kimisis of the Theotokos located in Southampton, New York for a pre-Lenten clergy retreat. As a brotherhood of Faith and mutual support, the local clergy gathered under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who offered His embrace as His Eminence opened the retreat with remarks and prayerful encouragement.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Holy Eparchial Synod - Boca Raton, Florida, March 16, 2024 - Communique
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over a session of the Holy Eparchial Synod yesterday, at Saint Mark the Evangelist in Boca Raton, Florida, in the Metropolis of Atlanta, to discuss current issues concerning the life of the Church.
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Clergy-Laity Congress Online Registration Now Open
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the Clergy Laity Congress Organizing Committee are pleased to announce the opening of online registration for the 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress. This year the Congress will take place at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina from June 30 to July 4, 2024 with the theme, “In Christ we are one” inspired by Romans 12:4-5.
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Archbishop Elpidophoros Welcomes the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese National Girl Delegates to the United Nations to Archdiocese Headquarters
Today, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese National Girl Delegates to the United Nations were welcomed to Archdiocese Headquarters by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
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Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp | |
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Solicitations
Solicitations of any kind are not allowed anywhere on Church property without
Parish Council approval.
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Spring 2024
Please click below to view the current issue of the Testament including Fr. Pat's Insights, Parish Council, Youth Ministries and more!
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In Memory
Donations to the St. Sophia General Fund in memory of someone. Please indicate the name of the person to be memorialized.
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Coffee Hour
Please support St. Sophia by sponsoring coffee fellowship for memorials. Please click the button below.
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