Sunday Services: Orthros-8:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy-10:00 a.m. Sunday School after Distribution of Holy Communion. Holy Day Services As announced in weekly bulletins.
Ushers:
11/6 - Michael Fowler & Michaele Glisson
11/13 - Brian Farr & L. Papadimitriou
11/20 - C. Zouboukos & Chuck Odom
11/27 - Chris Cora & T J Hare
Altar Servers: (Please note that if any altar servers are in church and see that no alltar servers are here you are of course asked to serve in the altar).
Epistle Reader:
11/6- Erynn Sturgon
11/13-John Mark Harris
11/20-Adam Farr
11/21-Presvitera Bonnie
11/27-Carl Boschert
Prosphoro:
10/30-Dimitra Papadimitriou
11/6 - Father Andrew
11/13 - Soula Nikolis - Trisagion for Bill (3 months) Nik(4 years).
11/20 - Patti Farr
11/21 - Dimitra Papadimitriou
11/27- ?????
The sign up page is updated and all Sundays from October through Dec 25th are available.
To sign up to bake prosphoro click on this link. https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/266988023009644063/false#/invitation
Orthros starts at 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy starts at 10:00 a.m,
Coffee Hour: Fresh Brewed coffee and snacks.
Sunday school classes meet after the dirstribution of Holy Communion.
Looking Ahead-Mark Your Calendars
11/6 Philoptochos Board Meeting
11/6 Sunday School Fall Festival - 2pm to 4pm at the Hontzas Farm
11/13 - Fall Parish General Assembly - Philoptochos Thanksgiving Luncheon - Join Us.,
11/15 - Nativity Fast Begins
11/21 - Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Liturgy at 5:30 pm
11/24 - Thanksgiving - Church office closed,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA
Sunday November 13, 2022
Call to Order with prayer – Reverend Proto-presbyter Andrew Koufopoulos
Election of Chairperson
Election of Secretary
Approval of the Minutes from the prior Parish Assembly
Pastoral Report
Financial Reports
Approval 2023 Budget
Stewardship Report
Election of the Election Committee
Election of the Audit Committee
Any other items for the betterment of the Parish
Adjournment
Closing Prayer – Father Andrew
Join us for the Philoptochos Annual
Thanksgiving Luncheon on Sunday November 13th after Liturgy and stay to participate in the Fall Parish General Assembly,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/269685419794311/ or go to our church web page
www.holytrinitysaintjohnjackson.org and click on the link
We are grateful to those who have contributed and continue to contribute their donations through the mail or by the two secure on-line options both of which can be found on our web page. The light a candle say a prayer link below or the Donate Button on the bottom of the home page https://holy-trinity-st-john-the-theologian-greek-orthodox-church-jac.square.site
November Birthday Celebrations: Alex Valsamakis-November 3rd,Ted Thompson-November 7th, Elena Zouboukos-November 7th, Erynn Sturgon-November 8th, Kristina Zouboukos-November 9th, Constantine “Costa” Zouboukos-November 10th, John Mark Harris-November12, James Glisson-November 14th, TJ Hare-November 15th, Constantine P. Zouboukos-November 19th, Miles Alex Graham-November 19th, James "Buddy" Fowler-November 22nd, Nick Valsamakis-November 25th, Sophia Childers November 28th, Peter Efstratiou-November-29th Please let us know of any errors or omissions.
Our Holy Trinity-St. John the Theologian Prayer List:
"Remember Lord, those whom each of us calls prayerfully to mind" Stella Grivas (Father Andrew's mother in Dunnsville VA), Andrea & Kevin Brown (Father Andrew's sister and brother in law in New Hampshire), Chuck Odom, Nicholas & Dianna Psaris, Chris Grillis, Lambryne Angelo, Paula Fowler, Victoria Lepsa (Cristina Nica's mother in Romania), Tatianna Koufopoulos Quick of Phoenix Arizona, Maria Costas, Dot Pavlou,
Saint Paul was from Thessalonica. He became the secretary of Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople (see Aug. 30), a deacon, and then the successor of Saint Alexander in about 337. Because of his virtue, his eloquence in teaching, and his zeal for Orthodoxy, the Arians hated and feared him. When the Arian Emperor Constantius, who was in Antioch, learned of Paul's election, he exiled Paul and proclaimed the Arian Eusebius Patriarch. Saint Paul went to Rome, where he found Saint Athanasius the Great also in exile. Provided with letters by Pope Julius, Paul returned to Constantinople, and after the death of Eusebius in 342, ascended again his rightful throne; the Arians meanwhile elected Macedonius, because he rejected the Son's con-substantiality with the Father (and the divinity of the Holy Spirit besides). When Constantius, yet at Antioch, learned of Paul's return, he sent troops to Constantinople to drive Paul out. The Saint returned to Rome, where Saint Athanasius also was again in exile. Constans, Emperor of the West, Constantius' brother, but Orthodox, wrote to Constantius that if Athanasius and Paul were not allowed to return to their sees, he would come with troops to restore them him-self. So Paul again returned to his throne. After the death of Constans, however, Constantius had Paul deposed. Because of the love of the people for Saint Paul, Philip the Prefect, who was sent for him, was compelled to arrest him secretly to avoid a sedition. Paul was banished to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia; a town through which his most illustrious successor, Saint John Chrysostom would also pass on his way to Comana in his last exile. In Cucusus, about the year 350, as Saint Paul was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the little house where he was a prisoner, the Arians strangled him with his own omophorion, so much did they fear him even in exile. His holy relics were brought back to Constantinople with honour by the Emperor Theodosius the Great.
All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.
On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt.
Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.
Saint John was born in 555 on the island of Cyprus in the city of Amathus; his father, Epiphanius, was a ruler of Cyprus. The Saint was consecrated Archbishop of Alexandria in 608. A man of exemplary uprightness, in his zeal for Orthodoxy he strove mightily to fight the many heresies among the Christians in Egypt; but above all, he was famous for his singular generosity, humility, and sympathy towards all, especially the poor. His mercy was so great that the report of it reached the Persian invaders of Jerusalem, who desired to see him because of it. Saint John reposed in 619, at the age of sixty-four.
Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14
At that time, Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He revealed Himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. .
Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Luke 8:41–56
With the raising of Jairos’ daughter in today’s Gospel, Christ shows himself to be “the one who has authority over the living and the dead as immortal King”. In the Incarnation, God takes on a complete human nature, and with it also takes on a voluntary death. However, since he is also divine, death could not hold him in Hades, and so he rises from the dead, and raises with himself the whole of mankind. In this way, death ceases to be the end of human life and becomes a temporary state just like sleep. This is why, when the people came to the ruler of the synagogue and said to him, “Thy daughter hath died”, the Lord is in a position to answer them, “she did not die, but sleepeth”. Those who have died in the body are not dead, but have fallen asleep. The death of the body is only temporary; true death is unrepentant sin, which means permanent separation from God, who is the life of the world.
However, this truth is revealed gradually. Before the raising of the young girl, we encounter another miracle: the healing of the woman with an issue of blood. We can see here how God gradually builds up the faith of the people. With the miracle of healing, he prepares for the raising of the young girl, and with the raising of the young girl, he prepares for the greatest of all miracles: his own resurrection from the dead on the third day.
And this idea of gradual revelation relates to one of the many allegorical (symbolic) interpretations of this passage, as taught by the Church Fathers.
The young girl and the older woman symbolise the two Churches: the Church of the Old Testament and the Church of the New Testament.
The twelve year old girl is the Church of the Old Testament, of the Jewish nation, which consisted of the twelve tribes of Israel. Her father, Jairos, who is the ruler of the synagogue, symbolises the Law of Moses. Although this Law was from God, the Law of Moses could only reveal the problem of sin and death; it wasn’t able to heal sin or conquer death. This is why the father of the young girl could not save her himself, but had to turn to the Lord to ask for help. Here we can also see how the purpose of the Law was to guide people to the Lord, because “man is not being justified by the works of the law, except through faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16).
The other woman symbolises the Church of the Gentiles. For twelve years, this woman suffered from her flow of blood — in other words, for the entire Old Testament period, when the truth had still only been revealed to the children of Abraham, the other nations found themselves in the darkness of unbelief and sin. The woman “had expended her whole living on physicians and could not be cured by anyone” — in other words, the Gentiles had placed their hope in the worship of idols, superstitions, and worldly pleasures, but they could find no help or salvation in idolatry or materialism. After twelve years, however, when the young girl had died — in other words, when the period of the Old Testament had ended — then Christ comes into the world. The woman “came behind him” — in other words, the Gentiles began to follow him — “and touched the fringe of his garment”. With this contact, the Gentiles were freed from the sickness and delusion of idolatry, and they came to full spiritual health as members of the Body of Christ, as the Church of the New Testament.
Of course, the nation of Israel was not lost forever. St Paul the Apostle writes very clearly that, this “happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations should enter in, and so all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:25–26). Thus, the raising of the young girl symbolises this restoration of Israel and the common entry of all nations into the life of the New Testament. However, you’ll notice that, when Jesus goes in to raise the girl from the dead, he only takes with him three of his disciples: Peter, John, and James.
Today’s reading is taken from the eighth chapter of the Gospel according to St Luke, and in the ninth chapter we see the story of the Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, where the divinity of Christ is clearly revealed through the vision of the uncreated Light. Also at the Transfiguration, the Lord only brought with him these three disciples: Peter, John, and James.
Why didn’t he bring all twelve disciples with him? Why only three? One explanation is that the three apostles symbolise the three sons of Noah, from which all of humanity are descended, thus attesting to the universality of the promise of salvation. St John Chrysostom gives us another interpretation: the Lord takes Peter with him because Peter loved the Lord, he takes John with him because John was loved by the Lord, and he takes James because James had great zeal for the Lord, but it was a zeal guided by wisdom, not the zeal “not according to true knowledge” (Rom. 10:2).
The presence of these three disciples, then, shows us how these three things are necessary prerequisites for our own participation in those things revealed to us by today’s reading: the healing of sin, the restoration of the lost, and the eternal victory of life over death.
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