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Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2020-12-25
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
PARISH NEWS
Nativity
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Holy Trinity Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (609) 653-8092
  • Fax:
  • (609) 653-0375
  • Street Address:

  • 7004 Ridge Ave

  • Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
  • Mailing Address:

  • 7004 Ridge Ave

  • Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Contact Information

Parish Administrator Lisa Mitoulis

lisa@cmmcw.com | 609-653-8092

Services Schedule

Sunday Services: Orthros 8:15 am.

                         Divine Liturgy 9:30 am.

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He that existed * before the ages as God.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


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Saints and Feasts

Nativity
December 25

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).

Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).

But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).

Nativity
December 25

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).

Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).

But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).

Magi
December 25

The Adoration of the Magi: Melchior, Gaspar, & Balthasar

25_nativity4
December 25

The Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks and came to see the Lord

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 65.4,1.
Let all the earth worship you, and sing praises to you.
Verse: Shout with joy to God, all the earth.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7.

BRETHREN, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ.

Gospel Reading

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

What do the wise men learn from the star? ... That He was King of the Jews? And yet He was not king of this kingdom, even as He also said to Pilate, 'My kingdom is not of this world' ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily VI on Matthew II, 1,4., 4th Century

And even if they knew Him to be a king, for what intent did they come? ... What had astrology to do with Him? ... What reason induced them to worship one who was king so far off ... not yet grown to manhood?
St. John Chrysostom
Homily VI on Matthew II, 1,4., 4th Century

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PARISH NEWS

PARISH NEWS

Pangari Schedule: Our Parish Council

2021 Calendar and Stewardship Packets are now available. One of our parish council members or Ginny Kramvis will be able to hand you a packet. 

Philoptochos will continue to sell Shop Rite Gift Cards. Please see attached flyer with information on how to purchase.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Please do not socialize and congregate in the foyer of the gym after the Divine Liturgy.

JANUARY WEEKDAY SERVICES

Please call or email Ginny Kramvis for registering for weekday services. Seating is limited to 20 people. (609-513-2357 or ekramvis@comcast.net) 

† January 1, Friday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. Basil

† January 5, Tuesday, Great Hours, Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil & Great Agiasmos 9:00 am.

† January 6, Wednesday, Orthros,  Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom & Great Agiasmos 9:00 am.

† January 7, Thursday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. John the Baptist

† January 18, Monday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Sts. Athanasios & Cyril

† January 20, Wednesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. Euthymios

† January 25, Monday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Gregory the Theologian

† January 27, Wednesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Removal of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom

† January 30, Saturday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 3: Vasilopita Sunday

January 6: Epiphany

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

Holy Communion is offered to those baptized Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves for the reception of the Sacrament by prayer and fasting. Blessed Bread is available for all our visitors at the very end of the Divine Liturgy. Our Sunday School students receive Holy Communion first and then we will approach from the center aisles, starting with the front pews, one pew at a time.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School will resume on Sunday January 10th. Merry Christmas! Christ is Born! Glorify Him!    Please contact Sarai Taraborrelli if you have any questions.  sarai1southrey@gmail.com.
 
GREEK SCHOOL

Greek school will resume on Monday, January 4th.

PARISH REOPENING INFORMATION

We are happy to announce that we have received permission to reopen our Church.  It will be great to see you all in person after many weeks of physical separation.

We are urging all of us to refrain from being judgmental towards those who are not yet ready or able to attend services.  Oftentimes, we do not know the personal situations experienced by our sisters and brothers. 

Here are many of the guidelines that we all need to follow during this first phase of reopening.

  •  Sunday morning Divine Liturgies will take place in the gymnasium and we will only be able to enter through the front door outside of the gym foyer.
  • We will not be permitted to go to other parts of the facility, except to use the restroom nearby (one person at a time).
  • Only 75 people can register for attendance each Sunday on a first come first served basis.  Overflow registrants will be first in line for the following Sunday.
  • Each of us will receive an email from “Sign Up Genius” each week.  Please be sure to provide all the contact information that is requested.
  • While consecutive Sundays will appear on the “Sign Up Genius”, please only register for one Sunday at a time so that we can give everyone a chance to attend.
  • Chairs in the gymnasium will be spaced in a safe manner.  Please do not move the chairs, nor move around inside the gym to converse with other people.
  • Masks must be worn at all times.  Please bring a mask from home.
  • Upon arrival, each of us will be asked a few general health questions.  If we are sick or have been near a sick person, we will not be permitted to attend the Divine Liturgy.
  • If someone experience symptoms sometime after the Divine Liturgy, THEY MUST NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
  • Everyone must sanitize their hands upon arrival.
  • We are not lighting individual candles.  Two large candles will be lit in front of the altar on behalf of all of us.
  • A collection tray will be placed at the pangari, but will not be passed around in Church.  Please bring exact change as no change will be handled.
  • All cell phones must be turned off completely in order to preserve our wifi connection.
  • A few chairs will be set up in the back of the gym for parents with young children.
  • For those who do not use email or the internet, I am encouraging them to seek out a family member or fellow parishioner who can register for them.  A separate letter in the Greek language will explain this to our seniors.
  • We are not permitted to have a coffee hour, nor to socialize with one another after the Services.

 WEEK DAY LITURGIES

Week Day Liturgies will be celebrated in the Church and participants can only enter through the front door of the Church.

  • We are limited to 20 people at a time for these services.  Seating spots will be marked with a blue dot on the pews.
  • We are giving preferential consideration to our senior citizens (who may be uneasy about larger crowds) and to those who are celebrating their name days on a given day.
  • Attendees must contact Ginny Kramvis two days in advance of the Week Day Liturgy so that we do not go over the 20 person limit (609-513-2357).  In addition, a relative or friend can email Ginny at   ekramvis@comcast.net.
  • All of the other guidelines as described above for Sunday Liturgies, also apply to the Week Day Liturgies.

MEMORIALS

If you are planning a family memorial, please contact the church office far in advance of the date, so that we can properly register your family for church attendance.

PARKING

Due to safety regulations, please do not park cars along the curb in front of the church and the community center during church services and other events. Thank you!

 

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