Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis

My beloved parishioners of Holy Trinity,

Once again in our earthly lives, through the Grace and Mercy of God, we are entering the new year of our Lord. We all celebrate and rejoice for that, as we understand the importance of a new beginning, which hopefully will become -as we pray- a new opportunity for spiritual and mental rearrangement or even transformation.

Our Holy Orthodox Church teaches us that time is given to us as a gift by God, not to manage, but to use to save our souls. There is no time for God, as He is eternal, and there is limited time for us, until we reach eternity. The secular world, the “society” that we all live in calls us for celebrations that are improper with the teachings of the Orthodox Church. The world calls us to celebrate “ourselves”: to enjoy ourselves, to make ourselves happy, to work for our benefit, to earn for ourselves, to satisfy ourselves. The New Year’s resolution that we all make is always about ourselves and our “ego”.

And here comes the Orthodox Church and our precious faith, to give us the correct perspective of all the above. She says: if you want to help yourself, help others; if you want to save yourself, become the example for the others; if you want to save the world, you must change first. Do not throw the responsibility on anyone but yourself; if you change, the world will change.

Furthermore, the coming of a new year reminds us that we are humans, who draw closer to the end of our earthly lives. The Church calls us to repent. We read in the Gospel on the Sunday after the Epiphany that Jesus Christ, right after His Baptism, began to preach saying: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4,17). Therefore, let us remember that time for every faithful is nothing but a tool. It is an opportunity for repentance, correction, change, and acknowledgment of our mistakes and wrongdoings; an opportunity to fortify our faith and become more active in the Sacramental life of our Orthodox Church. Jesus’ message to us: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is fitting and needed now more than ever before!

As we celebrate the coming of the New Year 2024, we hope for, and we dream of a better tomorrow. We dream of a better world, without injustices and wars. We dream of a better future for our children. All these dreams can only become a reality if we commend ourselves to Jesus Christ and His Church: “let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life unto Christ our God” as we pray in every Divine Liturgy. Let us make this year’s resolution together: to change our world by changing ourselves!

Please accept my warmest and most loving wishes to you and your families for a healthy and glorious new year, filled with the Grace of God. This year, 2024, marks our Parish’s 90^th Anniversary, and we feel proud for those before us who worked hard to build and bring this beautiful community and Church to this point. We are also committed to continuing their legacy and passing on the Orthodox Faith and tradition to future generations.

Happy and Blessed New Year, filled with the Grace of the Holy Trinity!

Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne

Christoforos Oikonomidis, Presiding Priest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Αγαπητοί μου ενορίτες,

Για ακόμη μια φορά στο διάβα της επιγείου ζωής μας, μας αξιώνει ο Πανάγαθος Θεός να εορτάσουμε την έλευση του νέου χρόνου. Μια καινούρια χρονιά ξεκινάει και όλοι μας οφείλουμε να σκεφτούμε και να κάνουμε τον προσωπικό μας απολογισμό. Να δούμε τι κάναμε στο χθες, τι ευθύνες μας αναλογούν, πόσο βοηθήσαμε την κοινωνία μας και τον συνάνθρωπο, και τι πρέπει να κάνουμε για να διορθώσουμε το μέλλον. Πάνω απ’ όλα όμως, οφείλουμε σαν Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, να μεριμνήσουμε για την πνευματική μας ζωή και την προσωπική μας σωτηρία.

Ο Θεός μας έχει δώσει τον χρόνο ώστε να ζούμε την ζωή μας «ἐν μετανοίᾳ» και να προετοιμαζόμαστε για την αληθινή ζωή, την αιωνιότητα. Δυστυχώς εμείς ξεχνούμε αυτή την πραγματικότητα, και αναλώνουμε την ζωή μας και την καθημερινότητά μας ενδιαφερόμενοι μόνο για το πώς θα ζήσουμε καλύτερα, για το πώς θα αποκτήσουμε περισσότερα, για το πώς θα εκμεταλλευτούμε τους άλλους ώστε να κερδίσουμε περισσότερα. Έτσι ξεχνούμε ότι είμαστε πλασμένοι για την αιωνιότητα, και ασχολούμαστε μόνο για τα υλικά αγαθά.

«Ζητεῖτε πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν» (Ματθ. 6,33). Ο Χριστός μας καλεί να θέσουμε νέες προτεραιότητες στη ζωή μας. Μας ζητά να αναζητούμε και να μεριμνούμε πρώτα για το πώς θα κερδίσουμε την αιώνια ζωή, πώς θα μπούμε στον Παράδεισο, πώς θα ζήσουμε μαζί Του αιώνια, και όλα τα υπόλοιπα θα μας τα δώσει Εκείνος. Ο Χριστός ξέρει τι θέλουμε και τι χρειαζόμαστε για να ζήσουμε. Ας μην σπαταλάμε λοιπόν τον χρόνο μας, την ζωή μας, την ευκαιρία που μας έχει δώσει Εκείνος ώστε να έλθουμε πιο κοντά Του, σε άσκοπες και ανούσιες πράξεις και στάσεις ζωής.

Μιλώντας για προτεραιότητες, συνηθίζουμε κάθε Πρωτοχρονιά να δίνουμε υποσχέσεις «αλλαγής» του τρόπου ζωής μας. Άλλοι βάζουν στόχο να αδυνατίσουν, άλλοι να ζήσουν μια πιο υγιεινή ζωή, άλλοι να αλλάξουν τρόπο ζωής, άλλοι να γίνουν πιο καλοί άνθρωποι και πολλά άλλα τέτοια. Όλα αυτά είναι καλά και απαραίτητα. Εμείς όμως, ως Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, που αγαπούμε τον Θεό και την Εκκλησία Του, ας υποσχεθούμε ότι φέτος, το 2024, θα αφιερώσουμε πιο πολύ χρόνο σε Εκείνον που έδωσε την ζωή και το Αίμα Του για μας. Ας υποσχεθούμε ότι θα πηγαίνουμε πιο συχνά -δηλαδή κάθε Κυριακή- στην Εκκλησία και θα κοινωνούμε το Πανάγιο Σώμα και Αίμα Του. Ας υποσχεθούμε ότι θα προσπαθήσουμε να αγαπήσουμε και να συγχωρήσουμε κάθε άνθρωπο, και ιδιαίτερα εκείνους που μας έχουν βλάψει. Ας υποσχεθούμε ότι θα μετανοήσουμε. Αν κάνουμε όλα τα παραπάνω, σίγουρα θα γίνουμε καλύτεροι άνθρωποι, καλύτεροι Χριστιανοί, και η κοινωνία μας θα γίνει καλύτερη.

Θέλω να ευχηθώ σε όλους σας καλή και ευλογημένη χρονιά! Για να είναι όμως ευλογημένη η χρονιά πρέπει να είναι γεμάτη με την Χάρη του Θεού. Αυτή την Χάρη θα την βρούμε μόνο μέσα στην Εκκλησία και στα Ιερά Μυστήρια. Καθώς γιορτάζουμε φέτος και τα 90 χρόνια της Ενορίας μας, εύχομαι ο Πανάγιος Τριαδικός Θεός να σας ευλογεί και όλοι μαζί να συνεχίσουμε το έργο των προγόνων μας, όλων εκείνων που ίδρυσαν και έκτισαν την ευλογημένη μας Κοινότητα, και όλοι μαζί, ενωμένοι και αγαπημένοι, να προχωρήσουμε μπροστά για το μέλλον της Κοινότητάς μας και των παιδιών μας.

Καλή και ευλογημένη νέα χρονιά!

Με αγάπη Χριστού,

π. Χριστοφόρος Οικονομίδης

Αρχιμανδρίτης του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου

Ιερατικώς Προϊστάμενος

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January 28, 2024

15th Sunday of St Luke

Epistle: 1 Timothy 4:9-15 Page 116

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 Page 116

Memorials: Agnes Efstation Dignam ~ 3 Years

NARTHEX DUTY TEAM: Group 2

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP IS OFFERED BY: AHEPA

THIS WEEK AT HOLY TRINITY:

Sunday, January 28

15th Sunday of St Luke

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

Sunday School

Sunday School Meeting after Worship

4pm DEL VAL Greek Letters Day Celebration with the Presence of

His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey @ Holy Trinity

Tuesday, January 30

6pm Boys Basketball Practice

12pm Philoptochos Serving at Emmanuel Dining Room

Wednesday, January 31

12pm Bible Study

5:30pm Greek School

5:45pm 90th Anniversary Committee Meeting

6:30pm Girls Basketball Practice

7pm GOYA Dance Practice

Thursday, February 1

6pm YAL Gathering in AHEPA Room

Friday, February 2

Presentation of our Lord

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

5pm Boys Basketball Practice

Saturday, February 3

GOYA Ski Trip

Sunday, February 4

15th Sunday of Matthew / Godparent Sunday

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

Sunday School

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To follow the service via the GOA Digital Chant Stand

type in the link below and click the date of the service.

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html

Welcome

The Holy Trinity Family welcomes all visitors. We hope that you enjoyed the Divine Service of the Church of the Book of Acts. You participated in the most ancient Christian Service written by Saint John Chrysostomos- the Golden Mouth. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is distributed ONLY to those Baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared according to our Sacred Tradition. We invite everyone to come forward at the end of the Divine Liturgy to receive the blessed bread. If you have any questions about the Orthodox Church or would like to discover how to join this Ancient Christian Faith please see the priest after the service or call the church office for an appointment 302-654-4446. We thank you and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and yours abundantly always.

Sunday Hymns

Hymns for Sunday

Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον. Ἦχος αʹ. Αὐτόμελον.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος. Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Resurrectional Apolytikion. Mode 1. Automelon.

The stone that had been sealed before your tomb by the Jews and the soldiers guarding did watch oe’r your pure and sacred body. O Savior the third day you arose, and unto all the world did you give life whereby all the heavenly powers did proclaim that You are the giver of life. Glory unto our resurrected Christ. Glory unto your kingdom. Glory to your dispensation O You alone who loves all.

Τοῦ Ὁσίου. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Ταῖς τῶν δακρύων σου ῥοαῖς, τῆς ἐρήμου τὸ ἄγονον ἐγεώργησας, καὶ τοῖς ἐκ βάθους στεναγμοῖς, εἰς ἑκατὸν τοὺς πόνους ἐκαρποφόρησας, καὶ γέγονας φωστὴρ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, λάμπων τοῖς θαύμασιν, Ἐφραὶμ πατὴρ ἡμῶν ὅσιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἠμῶν.

For the Devout Man. Mode pl. 4.

With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O Ephrem, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἀναδείξας, καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.

Mode pl. 4.

O Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them, made the fishermen wise, and through them illumined the world and to you the universe was ever drawn – all Glory to you O Lord.

Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος αʹ.

Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῷ τόκῳ σου, καὶ χεῖρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νῦν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλʼ εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.

Kontakion. Mode 1.

You sanctified the virginal womb by Your birth, O Lord, and blessed the hands of Symeon fittingly, O Christ God; and even now You came and saved us. Now, give peace to our Nation in time of war, and empower our Leaders, so loved by You, the only one who loves humanity.

Saints and Feasts

January 28

Theodosius of Totma

January 28

15th Sunday of Luke

January 28

Ephraim the Syrian

Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the contests of the Martyrs.

Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime. Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl. Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him, especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De vir. ill., ch. CXV).

Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others, 379.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

First Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 28:16-20

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, οἱ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ Ὄρος, οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτόν, προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. Καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς, λέγων· Ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Πορευθέντες οὖν, μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος· διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἰδού, ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15.

Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον α' 4:9-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος. Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ κοπιῶμεν καὶ ὀνειδιζόμεθα, ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ θεῷ ζῶντι, ὅς ἐστιν σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, μάλιστα πιστῶν. Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε. Μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πνεύματι, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ. Ἕως ἔρχομαι, πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. Μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. Ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ ἐν πᾶσιν.

Gospel Reading

15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."

15th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 19:1-10

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο τὴν ῾Ιεριχώ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον· ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς ᾿Αβραάμ ἐστιν. ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For Christ's presence is like that of some life-giving, scented balsam which restores health, enriches life and gives savor to the soul, the thoughts, the words of a man. In brief, distance from Christ means corruption and death, and closeness to Him means salvation and life.

Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic

Prolog, 4 February

Christ is the salvation that comes, and Zacchaeus is the house to which He comes.

Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic

Prolog, 4 February

New Members Received

Loudovic Wiechecki

James DeNardo

Emily Raisis

Joseph Sparco

George & Kristie Asimos

George Asimos, Sr.

Jessica Marvel

Caroline Vande Poele

Beth Haldas

Anthony Taylor

Francis Wiechecki

Anthony & Melanie Metaxotos

Serving This Week at Holy Trinity

NARTHEX DUTY TEAM: Group 2

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP IS OFFERED BY: The AHEPA

Parish Outreach & Evangelism

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Our Lord Jesus Christ came in to the world that He might restore our humanity by filling it with the Divine and life-giving Holy Spirit. When this happens, we become a new creation in Christ overflowing with abundant life. All of us are called to participate in this Divine way of being.

Although Holy Trintiy has a vibrant history extending over 90 years, we are continually gaining new families and new parish members through marriages, childbirths, conversions from non-Christian religions and by people who are embracing the Orthodox Chrisitan way of life.

If you or someone you may know are desiring to join our Church, please let the church office know and we will have someone reach out to them for a pastoral visit.

We ask that all of our members prayerfully reflect on who we have the opportunity to be welcoming here at Holy Trinity, so that you might share that information with our Parish Priest.

May the Lord bless,

The Outreach & Evangleism Ministry

Matthew 28: 18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

CURRENT EVENT FLYERS

House Blessings

2024 Flyer - fill this form out and sent it to the Church Office

Children's Word

Youth Bulletin

GOYA TOURNAMENT

Help our GOYAns by placing your ad in the 2024 Journal

3 Hierarchs Greek Letters Day

Celebration Flyer TODAY

Young Adult League (YAL)

Gathering

Godparent Sunday

February 4th ~ Save the Date

Superbowl Sunday

Young Adult League (YAL)

Save the Date March 2nd for YAL Comedy Taverna Night

Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign Flyer

Thoughts on love and perfectionism

From the Blog of Michael Haldas

Announcements

Wishing Everyone a Happy Healthy

New Year!

If you have a pastoral emergency please call the

Church office @ 302.654.4446

Fr Christoforos @ 856.246.2756, or

Stephen Karakasidis @ 302.383.0476

ΠΟΙΜΑΝΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

Please view the attached informational video from the Metropolis Opioid Response Effort (M.O.R.E.) (CLICK ON TH ELINK BELOW TO VIEW THE VIDEO)

Please share it with anyone and everyone! Please HELP us do M.O.R.E.

https://www.nj.goarch.org/opioids

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Ephraim the Syrian in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O Ephraim our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Εφραίμ Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis

Sunday Hymns

Saints and Feasts

Theodosius of Totma

15th Sunday of Luke

Ephraim the Syrian

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

New Members Received

Serving This Week at Holy Trinity

Parish Outreach & Evangelism

CURRENT EVENT FLYERS

House Blessings

Children's Word

GOYA TOURNAMENT

3 Hierarchs Greek Letters Day

Young Adult League (YAL)

Godparent Sunday

Superbowl Sunday

Young Adult League (YAL)

Capital Campaign

Thoughts on love and perfectionism

Announcements

ΠΟΙΜΑΝΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Apolytikion for Ephraim the Syrian in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode