December 02
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-02
Bulletin Contents
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (904)-829-0504
- Fax:
- (904)829-0507
- Email:
- HOLY3GOC@gmail.com
- Street Address:
- 2940 CR-214
- St. Augustine, FL 32084-2718
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Fr. John Hays, Interim Priest
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2018-12-09
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-25
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-18
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-11
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-04
- Publish Date:
- 2018-10-28
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone
When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.
Apolytikion for St. Porphyrios in 1st Tone (As a Citizen of the Desert) in the 1st Tone
That offspring of Evvoia and Elder of all of Greece, the mystic of theology and genuine friend of Christ, Porphyrios, was filled with gifts of grace from childhood. So let us honor him. He delivers those oppressed by demons, he cures the sick who shout with faith and gratitude: "Glory to Him who gave you His might; glory to Him who sanctified you; glory to Him who through you is working cures for all."
Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Saints and Feasts
December 02
Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
Saint Porphyrios (Bairaktaris) was born in 1907 with the name Evangelos in Evoia, Greece, in the small village of Agios Ioannis (Saint John). As a child he tended to the sheep in the hills, and it is there that he first read the life of Saint John the Hut-Dweller (Commemorated January 15th) which planted the desire of monasticism in his heart. The spark lit by Saint John was fanned when at the age of seven he overheard a conversation about the divine beauty of the Holy Mountain. Eventually he stowed away on a boat to Thessalonica, hoping from there to reach Mount Athos.
On the evening after his arrival, a group of monks gathered at the harbor to take the boat to Mount Athos. One of them noticed the young Porphyrios and asked him where he was going. Porphyrios told the monk that he was going to the Holy Mountain, but lied about the reason as to why. The monk, seeing through this, told Porphyrios to tell any inquirers that he was his nephew and that his mother had passed away, for otherwise he would not be allowed on the mountain since he was still a child.
The monk, whose name was Panteleimon, became his spiritual father and brought him to Kavsokalyvia, a small skete where Panteleimon lived with his brother, the Priest Ioannikos, as fellow monastics. The young Porphyrios loved to carry out the virtue of obedience to his elders, at times being tested by them without even knowing it. When he was fourteen, his elder asked Porphyrios what he was planning to do with his life. The young man told him that he wished to stay on the Mountain. Two or three years later, Porphyrios was tonsured with the name Nikitas.
Once, being obedient to one of his elders against the wishes of the other, Porphyrios went out on a rainy day to collect snails. After hours of filling his sack, and burdened by the wind and cold, Porphyrios found himself suddenly caught in a rockslide and was buried up to his knees. Crying out to the Theotokos he was miraculously delivered, but having suffered badly he developed pleurisy and had to leave Mount Athos to seek medical treatment. The elder who told him to collect the snails profusely apologized, and personally saw Porphyrios off of Mount Athos, kissing him on the forehead in tears.
Porphyrios returned to the village of Agios Ioannis in Evoia where he reunited with his family. He stayed at the monastery of Saint Haralambos, which was near the village Avlonari, until he recovered. his good reputation as a faithful and obedient monk quickly spread and thus caught the attention of the Bishop Fostinis of Kymi. He began to visit Porphyrios frequently, and with the aid of Archbishop Porphyrios III of Sinai (from whom Porphyrios was given his final name), ordained the young monk a deacon and then a priest. Two years later he was made a confessor and would at times hear confessions for multiple days at a time without sleep or food.
His next major ministry was serving as the Chaplain at the Polyclinic Hospital in Athens for roughly 33 years (1940-1973). It was through the well-known Professor of Canon Law, Amilkas Alivizatos, that Porphyrios was assigned to the Church of Saint Gerasimos which was associated with the hospital. During this time he helped many patients spiritually by acting as their father confessor. In addition to his hospital duties, he helped to renew the Church of Saint Nicholas in Kallisia, often having recourse to it during the night to pray by himself or with family.
However, Porphyrios had still been unable to fulfill another dream he shared with his family: founding a monastery. After years of searching, he bought some land upon the top of a hill in Milesi where he later founded The Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration. He remained there for many years before returning to his old cell on Mount Athos where he spent his last years. He departed this life on December 2nd, 1991. Porphyrios was declared a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on November 27th, 2013.
December 02
Habakkuk the Prophet
This Prophet, whose name means "loving embrace," is eighth in order of the minor Prophets. His homeland and tribe are not recorded in the Divine Scriptures; according to some, he was of the tribe of Symeon. He prophesied in the years of Joachim, who is also called Jechonias, before the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish People, which took place 599 years before Christ. When Nabuchodonosor came to take the Israelites captive, Habakkuk fled to Ostrakine, and after Jerusalem was destroyed and the Chaldeans departed, Habakkuk returned and cultivated his field. Once he made some pottage and was about to take it to the reapers in the field. An Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and carried him with the pottage to Babylon to feed Daniel in the lions' den, then brought him back to Judea (Bel and the Dragon, 33-39): His book of prophecy is divided into three chapters; the third chapter is also used as the Fourth Ode of the Psalter. His holy relics were found in Palestine during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great, through a revelation to Zebennus, Bishop of Eleutheropolis (Sozomen, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 29).
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. 2nd Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17.
Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Gospel Reading
14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Parish News
A Word from Fr. John:
St. Diadochos of Photiki on the grace of God in the Christian soul...
“Before holy baptism, grace encourages the soul towards good from the outside, while Satan lurks in its depths, trying to block all the intellect’s ways of approach to the divine. But from the moment that we are reborn through baptism, the demon is outside, grace is within.... Nevertheless, even after baptism Satan still acts on the soul, often, indeed, to a greater degree than before. This is not because he is present in the soul together with grace... it is because he uses the body’s humours to befog the intellect with the delight of mindless pleasures. God allows him to do this, so that a man, after passing through a trial of storm and fire, may come in the end to the full enjoyment of divine blessings....
As we have said, from the instant we are baptized, grace is hidden in the depths of the intellect, concealing its presence even from the perception of the intellect itself. When someone begins, however, to love God with full resolve, then in a mysterious way, by means of intellectual perception, grace communicates something of its riches to his soul.”
– from On Spiritual Knowledge and Discrimination: One Hundred Texts, 76 and 77 (from The Philokalia: The Complete Text, Vol. 1, edited by Palmer, Sherrard, and Ware
Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for Jim Manos (please visit at Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center), Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Betty & Fred Day, Despina Xynidis, George P. Nichols, our parish, those we serve, and our two missionary families: Dn. Stephanos, Dka. Alexandria & Moses Ritsi serving Albania; and Michael Lisa & Liam Colburn serving translators worldwide.
Thank You Volunteers: Thank you to all Parish Members, Families, Volunteers who made possible the preparations and offered ready hands and hearts to host yesterday's events: The 2018 Christmas Parade and our parish's hosting of the 2nd Annual Convention Luncheon of the Archdiocesan Hellenic Educators. Well done, everyone!
Hostess Schedule:Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com
- Today, December 2nd Parish Appreciation luncheon from Festival tips
- December 9th Eugenia Charoni; Toula Zotos
- December 16th Parish Christmas program and Philoptochos brunch
- December 23rd Coffee Only
- December 30th Coffee Only
Parish Council Announcements:
- Sunday, November 25th: Weekly Offering - Candles $125; Tray $77; Stewardship $1110
Offer as generously as you are able in support of Church ministries. Your gift ensures that our church is open and accessible to all who seek her comfort. These donations are very important to the vitality of our parish. Your weekly offerings can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.
- Today, Sunday, December 2nd: Fall General Assembly after Divine Services
Parish Appreciation Luncheon - Using our tips from the recent festival, we are offering a free appreciation luncheon to the parish. Many thanks to those who gave their time and energies!
- Monday, December 24th: Nativity Services: Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil @ 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 25th: The Nativity of Christ – Christmas: Orthros and Divine Liturgy @ 9 a.m.
Our current Mortgage Balance is UNDER a Million! Specifically, it's $988,892.28. This really is a moment to celebrate, cherish, & reflect on in the history of this beautiful Parish. God Bless Our Hands! Nicola Lykam, Parish Treasurer
Stewardship:
2019 Stewardship theme: "Stewards of the Faith"
"All things are possible to the one who believes in Christ"
- Help Wanted
- Each year, the stewardship commitment card lists possible areas of interest in which members might engage: youth, building and grounds, liturgical, ministries, fellowship, and more. Each person’s gift is unique and important, and the combination of everyone’s talents helps us reach our full potential.
- As we focus on our future goals, ensuring that communities in our area know about our welcoming parish requires publicity. The first step was creating brochures for festival attendees and parish guests. We are now focusing on both print ads and expanded social media.
- We are currently looking for someone to manually enhance a black and white vector image of our church for publicity use. If you are able to assist, or know someone who can, please contact Toula Zotos at zotost@gmail.com.
- We do have a Facebook and Google presence, but no one assigned to enhance its impact and provide data on its effectiveness. If you are talented in the area of social media management or know of someone who is, please contact Toula.
- You will soon be receiving a 2019 Stewardship brochure and a Holy Trinity 2019 commitment card in the mail. If you have moved and not yet notified the church office, please do so as soon as possible (holy3goc@gmail.com)
- Holy Trinity Orthodox Church is grateful to all who contribute -- in any way!
2018 Parish Christmas Card:
Until December 9th, the Philoptochos is taking orders for the 2018 parish Christmas card. The cost is still $15. A sample of the card is available at the order table. Please print your name and address on the order form and make out checks to Holy Trinity (memo Christmas card). You may also pick up an order form and return it by mail, but your order must be received by December 6th.
Sunday, December 16th Philoptochos Christmas Brunch:
Following the Nativity Pageant, the Philoptochos will host a special Christmas brunch (Lenten) and present gifts to the children. New this year will be a Christmas cookie table and a silent auction of Christmas gift baskets. A donation of $5 is suggested, free for children under 5 years of age. Proceeds will go to Outreach for support of its Christmas ministry.
Sunday School News:
- Carman Gaetanos is teaching a newly formed middle school class this year. They are using the text, Our Life in the Church, published through the Orthodox Christian Education Commission. The first unit focuses on baptism and chrismation and has fit in nicely with our church readings. The students have been very inquisitive and have been motivated to learn more about their own baptisms, Godparents and why and how we're baptized. The students are looking forward to working on our Christmas projects and Christmas pageant.
- The Sunday School’s Christmas pageant will be Sunday Dec. 16th. We ask that all Sunday School students please plan on attending Sunday School from Nov. 11th until the pageant so we can practice for a few (10 -15 minutes) minutes at the end of our abbreviated lessons. The teachers are graciously giving up a little class time so that the families will have minimal inconvenience. No classes or rehearsal Thanksgiving weekend. This pageant uses narration with the children acting out the parts. We will need some volunteers to read for the various sections of the story (Innkeeper, shepherd, etc.). Teens and adults of any age are welcome to participate.
Outreach Update: Visit us anytime at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/holytrinityoutreach.
Bulletin Submission:Please submit your articles weekly by Wednesday, or at the latest, Thursday. Please note that all submissions will be reviewed and edited by Father John.