Publish-header
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-16
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish News
Allsaint
Organization Icon
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (904)-829-0504
  • Fax:
  • (904)829-0507
  • Street Address:

  • 2940 CR-214

  • St. Augustine, FL 32084-2718

Contact Information

Ms. Nelda Hann


holy3goc@gmail.com | 9048290504

Services Schedule

Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am    Fr. John Hays, Interim Priest

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Tone

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world. Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for 11th Sun. of Luke in the 2nd Tone

By faith You justified the Forefathers, having through them betrothed to yourself the Church that came out of the nations. The saints are boasting in glory; for the glorious fruit, the Virgin who without seed gave birth to You, is from their progeny. At their entreaties, O Christ our God, save our souls. Ἐν πίστει τοὺς Προπάτορας ἐδικαίωσας, τὴν ἐξ Ἐθνῶν δι' αὐτῶν προμνηστευσάμενος Ἐκκλησίαν. Καυχῶνται ἐν δόξῃ οἱ Ἅγιοι, ὅτι ἐκ σπέρματος αὐτῶν, ὑπάρχει καρπός εὐκλεής, ἡ ἀσπόρως τεκοῦσά σε. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone

On this day the Virgin Maid goes to the grotto to give birth to the pre-eternal Word in an ineffable manner. Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds Him who willed that He appear as a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
December 16

Memnonus, Archbishop of Ephesus

Allsaint
December 16

The Holy Prophet Aggaeus (Haggai)

The Prophet Aggaeus, whose name means "festive," was born in Babylon at the time of the captivity Of the Jews. He began to prophesy in Jerusalem after their return thereto, and to admonish the people to rebuild the Temple, in the days of Zorobabel, the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes, King of Persia, about the year 520 before Christ. His prophecy, divided into two chapters, is ranked tenth among the minor Prophets.

Allsaint
December 16

Our Righeous Mother Blessed Empress Theophania

Saint Theophania, who was born in Constantinople, was of royal lineage. Instructed in letters, and adorned with many virtues, she was united in marriage to Emperor Leo the Wise (reigned 886-912). But counting the glory of the earthly kingdom as nought, she spent her nights and days in serving God with psalms and hymns and prayers, working various good deeds until she surrendered her spirit to God in peace, while still in her youth, being, according to some, about twenty years of age, according to others, twenty-seven. Her holy relics are still preserved in the patriarchal church in Constantinople as a source of healing for those that draw nigh with faith and longing. She was also the builder of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropigeal Monastery of St. Anastasia the Protector from Potions in Chalke (883).

Forefathers
December 16

11th Sunday of Luke

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we commemorate Christ's forefathers according to the flesh, both those that came before the Law, and those that lived after the giving of the Law.

Special commemoration is made of the Patriarch Abraham, to whom the promise was first given, when God said to him, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). This promise was given some two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham was seventy-five years of age. God called him and commanded him to forsake his country, parents, and kinsmen, and to depart to the land of the Canaanites. When he arrived there, God told him, "I will give this land to thy seed" (Gen. 12:7); for this cause, that land was called the "Promised Land," which later became the country of the Hebrew people, and which is also called Palestine by the historians. There, after the passage of twenty-four years, Abraham received God's law concerning circumcision. In the one hundredth year of his life, when Sarah was in her ninetieth year, they became the parents of Isaac. Having lived 175 years altogether, he reposed in peace, a venerable elder full of days.

Allsaint
December 16

Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem

Allsaint
December 16

Nicholas, Patriarch of Constantinople

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11.

Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24

The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

BACK TO TOP

Parish News

A Word from Fr. John:

 

“You must understand why it is that the Word of the Father, so great and so high, has been made manifest in bodily form. He has not assumed a body as proper to his own nature – far from it! For as the Word, He is without body. He has been manifested in a human body for this reason only: out of the love and goodness of his Father, for the salvation of us men.

 

... the first fact that you must grasp is this: the renewal of creation has been wrought by the self-same Word who made it in the beginning. There is thus no inconsistency between creation and salvation, for the one Father has employed the same agent for both works, effecting the salvation of the world through the same Word who made it in the beginning.” – St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation, Chapter 1

 

Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for Mike Chelikas, Irene Hastalis, Jim Manos (please visit at Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center), Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Betty & Fred Day, Despina Xynidis, George P. Nichols, and for their families; for continued growth of the parish family and for those The Lord receives, serves, and sends through Her lifesaving ministry, especially our two missionary families: Dn. Stephanos, Dka. Alexandria & Moses Ritsi serving Albania; and Michael Lisa & Liam Colburn serving translators worldwide.

 

Services:

  • Today, December 16th:               Father of Margo Kelley, Nicholas J. Toscas, 10th Year Memorial observed
  • Monday, December 24th:            Nativity Services……Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil at 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 25th:           The Nativity of Christ – Christmas……Orthros and Divine liturgy at 9 a.m.

 

Call and Notify the Church in Times of Need:  Do you know someone who is not attending services and needs/wants visitation or is ill?  When life gets busy and challenging times come upon us and, especially, in times of illness, hospitalization, emergency, and needing intercession, be sure to call and notify Father John through the Church Office.  Please e-mail prayer requests and updates to holy3goc@gmail.com. Enter into your phones the 24-hour emergency number which is also on the Church voicemail (602) 617-2467.

 

Visiting the Church Outside of Office Hours:  Though at this time we do not have volunteers coordinated to assist in receiving visitors to the Church outside of Office Hours (M-F 9am-1pm), we hope to always welcome parishioners and the many visiting out-of-towners to the best of our ability. Please call the office to arrange a visit.

 

Hostess Schedule:  Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com

  • Today, December 16th                 Parish Christmas program and Philoptochos Brunch
  • December 23rd                           Coffee Only
  • December 30th                           Coffee Only

 

Sunday School:  Stefanie and Christopher Burke are teaching the high school students. We are reading the book, The Orthodox Church A to Z, by Fr. George W. Grube. The book touches on the beliefs, practices and theories of the Orthodox church. It is typically used for catechism so it is easy to follow and the students seem to enjoy learning and discussing some of the core beliefs of the church.

 

Today, Sunday, December 16th  School Christmas Pageant and 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.

 

Parish Council Announcements:

 

  • Parish Council Nominations are Now Open & the Election is set for January 13th: Gregory Alatas, Stephanie Burke, and Connie Gaitanis are Members of the Elections Committee. Absentee Ballots will be available December 30th & due by January 13th.
  • Sunday, December 2nd:              Weekly Offering - Candles $170; Tray $96; Stewardship $1735
    Sunday, December 9th:              Weekly Offering – Candles $113; Tray $73; Stewardship $890

We encourage all to offer as generously as we are able in support of the Church and Her ministries. Together, we ensure the care, administration, and open doors to all who seek Her comfort. Combined with our prayerful presence and involvement, our weekly offerings continue making possible a growing vitality and sustainability of our parish. The collection basket is in the Narthex on your way to join in fellowship.

  • Spirited Projection for a Full-Time Priest & Commitment Presented at the General Assembly: For the good of the community, for our own families, and for our salvation, parish council members unanimously agreed to work toward raising up support for a full-time priest, and projected a 2019 budget inclusive of a 35% priest salary increase.  Members pledged publicly to increase their own 2019 Stewardship 35%.  Prayerful, sacrificial offering made possible the growth of this parish not too long ago, and our good stewarding will continue that spirit.  Let us also match the spirit of generosity of the late Charles Maragon, recent benefactor of this community whose estate value brought the mortgage under a million dollars.  Might you consider matching or growing toward increasing your commitment for 2019.

 

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

"Stewards of the Faith"

"All things are possible to the one who believes in Christ"

If you have not received a 2019 Stewardship commitment card, please contact the church office.

  • 2018 

We are nearing the $121,330 pledged amount for this year.  Your commitment sustains both our spiritual and practical needs.  Thank you for sharing your blessings with this parish!

 

Donations for AOMH Pantry:  One of the charities supported by our Philoptochos is the Alpha Omega Miracle Home, which "provides housing, counseling and education for the new faces of homelessness - single mothers, their children and senior women" . (AOMH.org)

These young mothers are offered an opportunity to work toward independence by improving their education and job skills. A pantry is available to assist them with meal times.  On Sunday, December 16, there will be a bin in the church hall for your donations of items for their pantry.  

  • Canned fruits, vegetables, soups
  • Pancake mix, syrup, cereal, granola bars
  • Pastas, noodles & sauces
  • Peanut butter & jelly
  • Easy rice/quinoa box mixes
  • Crackers, lunch box snacks, 100% apple juice boxes
  • (Also helpful: simple recipes)

Sometimes all it takes is a simple act of caring to make a difference.

 

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.

 

BACK TO TOP