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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-02-24
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish News
Prodson
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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 Plagal 2nd Tone

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You. Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας

Apolytikion for 1st and 2nd Finding of the Head of the Forerunner in the 4th Tone

The Forerunner's head has risen once again from the earth; it sends forth the brilliant rays of incorruption and cures to the faithful all. Above it has assembled the arrays of the Angels; below it calls the human race to gather together. In unison we offer up glory to Christ our God. Ἐκ γῆς ἀνατείλασα ἡ τοῦ Προδρόμου κεφαλή, ἀκτῖνας ἀφίησι τῆς ἀφθαρσίας, πιστοῖς τῶν ἰάσεων, ἄνωθεν συναθροίζει, τὴν πληθὺν τῶν Ἀγγέλων, κάτωθεν συγκαλεῖται, τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸ γένος, ὁμόφωνον ἀναπέμψαι, δόξαν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone

I revolted senselessly out of Your fatherly glory; I have squandered sinfully all of the riches You gave me.Hence to You, using the Prodigal's words, I cry out, I have sinned before You, merciful loving Father. O receive me in repentance, I pray, and treat me as one of Your hired hands. Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
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Saints and Feasts

Prodson
February 24

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.

07_john2
February 24

First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour's Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa.

Allsaint
February 24

Cumine the White, Abbot of Iona

Allsaint
February 24

Romanos, Prince of Uglich

Lastjudgement1
February 25

Meatfare Monday

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

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Parish News

 

A Word from Fr. John:

As we look forward to Great Lent, a few words concerning fasting. (From Way of the Ascetics, by Tito Colliander.)

 

“Fasting, neither above nor below your ability, will help you in your vigil. One should not ponder divine matters on a full stomach, say the ascetics. For the well-fed, even the most superficial secrets of the Trinity lie hidden. Christ Himself set the example with His long fast; when He drove out the devil, He had fasted forty days. Are we better than He? Behold, angels came and ministered unto him (Matthew 4:11). They are waiting to minister to you, too.

 

“... Here we find the reason that fasting is often used as a measuring stick by the holy Fathers: he who fasts much is he who loves much, and he who loves much is forgiven much (Luke 7:47). He who fasts much also receives much.

 

“The holy Fathers recommend ‘moderate’ fasting: one ought not to allow the body to be weakened too much, for then the soul, too, is harmed.... To choose among different kinds of foods is to be condemned: all food is God-given, but it is advisable to avoid such kinds as add to the body’s weight and appetite: strong spices, meat, spiritous drinks, and such foods as are solely for the palate’s enjoyment. For the rest, one may eat what is cheap and most easily available, they say. But by ‘moderate,’ they mean one meal a day, and that one light enough not to fill the stomach to satiety.”

 

Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for His Grace Bishop Dimitrios, Mike Chelikas, Irene Hastalis, Jim Manos, 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. And for our two missionary families: Dn. Stephanos, Dka. Alexandria & Moses Ritsi serving Albania; and Michael, Lisa & Liam Colburn serving translators worldwide. 

 

In Times of Need:When challenging times come upon us and especially in times of illness, hospitalization, emergency, or loneliness, ask for intercession and visitation. Please be sure to call and notify Father John through the church office, ore--mail prayer requests and updates to holy3goc@gmail.com. The  24-hour emergency phone number is: (602) 617-2467.

 

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

  • Today, February 24th                        Last Sunday Potluck
  • March 3                                          Angela Lekos, Carman Gaetanos
  • March10                                         Penny Angelus, Gail Jones
  • March 17                                         Ellen Kelbert, Melissa Kauttu-Strange
  • March 24                                         Pres Renee Ritsi, Evangelia Brati
  • March 31                                         Monthly Potluck                         

 

Parish Council Announcements:

  • The Holy Trinity Parish Council met with His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios on Sat, February 9 to discuss having a full-time priest. His Eminence inquired about our community and was pleased to learn that our parish is “poised” for a full-time priest. He noted, “The parish has to become the focus: the priest takes care of the parishioners; the parishioners take care of the priest.”  We must continue to show the spirit of love; to be a welcoming and warm community. In order to be ready for a full-time priest, certain items need to be in place, including resources to support a priest and to strengthen ourselves spiritually. At this time, His Eminence does not have a priest, but will work with us to find one!

 

Calendars:  We have received a limited number of large ecclesiastical calendars. Initial distribution will be to our 2019 stewards, then the balance will become available to other parishioners. Wallet size calendars are available to all in the Narthex.

If you have not yet sent in your 2019 Stewardship card, please do so as soon as possible. Your support is critical and appreciated.

 

Iconography Committee Update:  As announced with great joy, we are ready to go forward with iconography of the Pantocrator and Prophets in the dome of our church.  Hopefully it will be completed before Pascha.  As a parish family, we are grateful for the generous contributions and prayers that made this possible.  The next phase of the Iconography Project will include Evangelists on the pendentives and medallions of the Apostles on the band below the dome; examples are displayed on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. 

 

Outreach Update:

Join Us!: The Outreach Committee will be meeting on Sunday, March 3, in the library room after Divine Liturgy. Please bring your ideas and causes.

 

Buy-a-Brick:Ordering bricks soon!  Now that the church has been power washed, and the commemorative walkway cleaned, we will be ordering new bricks this month.  Prices have not changed: $100 for an engraved 4”x8” paver, and $250 for an engraved 8”x8” paver.  Order forms are on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or on our website.  We will contact you before the order is placed to confirm the engraving.  If you have questions, or cannot find a brick paver that you previously ordered, please contact the office, 904.829.0504 or Holy3GOC@gmail.com, or contact Carmela at (904) 471.2490 or ctardo@bellsouth.net.   

 

Stewardship and the Vision of our Parish:

  • Our formal vision -

"To foster an Orthodox Christian environment that encourages parishioner engagement, to increase public awareness of our faith and of our parish as a spiritual home, and to nurture and grow our stewardship commitments."

  • To be stewards of the Gospel, we need to be stewards of our parish.  This requires the vision and inspiration to see the parish not as it is but as it could be.  We are called to offer ourselves and our treasure to make our local church all that it can be.  Please ensure that you are part of the vision and planning process of our parish by submitting a stewardship commitment card.

 

April 5th – 7th Y.E.S. Weekend: St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville will be hosting Y.E.S. (Youth Equipped to Serve) for teens.  The youth program of FOCUS North America will be based at the church and travel around Jacksonville doing good works of service and love.  Registration is at www.yesnorthamerica.org with a gift of $175 per person which covers all trip expenses.  If you have questions, please contact Larissa Hatch or Rob Neda at:  larissahatch07@gmail.com or robertneda@gmail.com.

 

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 and Margo Kelley.

 

Weekly Offering:We support this Church by sharing of our time, talents, and treasures.  If each of us gives in proportion to God’s blessings upon us, our Church will continue to flourish.  Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service. 

 

 

 

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