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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-03-10
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish News
Eden
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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 4th Tone

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν κατεδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for the Church in the 1st Tone

8th Tone

Blessed are You, O Christ our God; You made wise men of poor fishermen by sending down upon them Your Holy Spirit, and through them You caught the whole world, O Lover of mankind, glory to You.

Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι᾽ αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 2nd Tone

O guide to wisdom, provider of prudence, disciplinarian of fools, and defender of the poor, fortify and discipline my heart, O Master; You, give me a word, O Word of the Father. For behold, I will not hinder my lips from crying to You: O merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν μου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου μοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος· ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη μου, οὐ μὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι· Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησόν με τὸν παραπεσόντα.
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Saints and Feasts

Eden
March 10

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Allsaint
March 10

Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Corinth during the reign of the Emperor Valerian (253-260).

Allsaint
March 10

Anastasia of Alexandria

Allsaint
March 10

Michael Mauroudes the New-Martyr

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

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Parish News

 

A Word from Fr. John:

From Adam’s Lament, by St. Silouan of Mt. Athos:

 

“Adam, father of all mankind, in paradise knew the sweetness of the love of God; and so when for his sin he was driven forth from the garden of Eden, and was widowed of the love of God, he suffered grievously and lamented with a mighty moan. And the whole desert rang with his lamentations....

 

‘My soul wearies for the Lord, and I seek Him in tears.

How should I not seek Him?

When I was with Him my soul was glad and at rest,

and the enemy could not come nigh me.

But now the spirit of evil has gained power over me...

so that I weary for the Lord even unto death....

 

I cannot forget Him for a single moment,

and my soul languishes after Him,

and from the multitude of my afflictions

I lift up my voice and cry:

“Have mercy upon me, O God. Have mercy on Thy

fallen creature.”’”

 

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And from the resurrection services on the night of Pascha:

 

You descended to the depths of the earth to fill all things with Your glory;

for my person that is in Adam was not hidden from You;

and being buried, You renewed me from corruption, O Lover of Mankind.

 

O King and Lord, having slept in the flesh as a mortal, You arose on the third day,

raising up Adam form corruption and abolishing death.

O Pascha of incorruption, the salvation of the world.

 

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And, by way of reminder: Pascha is simply the Greek word for “Passover,” and by extension for the Passover lamb and the Passover feast.

 

“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb [τὸ πάσχα ἡμῶν], has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – Romans 5:6-8

 

Special Prayer Requests:  We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for His Grace Bishop Dimitrios, Mike Chelikas, (Nicola Lykam’s uncle), 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. We pray 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, March 10                               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:

  • March 11 at 6:30 pm Parish Council Meeting
  • Please keep in prayer your 2019 Parish Council Members dedicated with Father John in service:  Christopher Burke, Melisa Colburn, Mikae Gaetanos, Jeff Kauttu (Secretary), Margo Kelley (President), Nick Lekas (Vice President), Nicola Lykam (Treasurer), Gary Peterson, and Carmela Tardo. 
  • 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. 

  • FTP Committee Meeting: On Sunday, March 17 following Divine Liturgy, the Full-Time Priest (FTP) committee will meet.  The Holy Trinity Parish Council formed this committee of parish members to work on the full-time priest initiative.  At this meeting, we hope to list questions, issues and challenges that we see as critical, and the to develop plans/strategies to get the parish into that financial position for a full-time priest.
  • Save the Dates – April 12 & 13: The entire Parish Council is excited to announce that Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon will be our guest.  Bishop Sevastianos will hear confessions on Friday and will be leading a whole parish retreat on Saturday, focused on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  Please plan on attending with your families and bring others, as it will be a beautiful opportunity to grow and share in faith, especially in preparation for Holy Week and Pascha (April 28th).  A detailed schedule will soon be announced.  Through assignment and blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, the Parish Council will work forwardly with His Grace Sevastianos and key ministry leaders throughout the Atlanta Metropolis. The upcoming Lenten Retreat will serve as a first opportunity for Bishop Sevastianos to come to know us, while we come to know him.  Pray that by and through our full parish participation, every member and member family will be drawn more closely and, like the prodigal son to his father, return into the loving arms of Christ through the increased and ongoing Christ-centered and life-saving ministries of the Church.

 

Philptochos:

  • Philptochos Meeting, this Sunday, March 10
  • Philoptochos - Supporting Orthodox Missions -On this Mission Sunday, local Philoptochos chapters around the country will be asking for donations to support the initiatives of mission families and teams around the globe.  Our chapter, named for the Dormition of the Theotokos, is a proud supporter of these efforts.  All collections will be consolidated at the National level and sent to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center here in St Augustine.  If you wish to donate directly to OCMC, you may do so at https://donate.ocmc.org
  • St Stephen's Camp - Registration for this year will open March 20.  If you have a child interested in attending a one week session this summer and need some financial assistance for a portion of the cost, a small fund has been set aside by our Philoptochos chapter for that purpose.  Please contact either Toula Zotos or Carmela Tardo if support is needed. Details for the camp are at https://atlmetropolis.org/st-stephens-summer-camp.

 

Faith, Hope and Love film:  A wonderful new movie by Greek filmmaker Robert Krantz that touches on all parts of the title, “Faith, Hope and Love,” will show to the public beginning on March 29th at Regal Avenues Stadium 20 in Jacksonville. Both touching and romantic, it has been very well received by those who have seen it in other parts of the country. 

Official site:  www.FHLMovie.com   Review:  https://dove.org/review/15081-faith-hope-love/ ) 

 

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.  

 

CommemorativeBricks will be ordered this Wednesday!  Please submit your orders for commemorative bricks by Monday, March 11, 2019.  Order forms are in the fellowship hall, in the narthex, on our website.  Please submit your completed form and check to the church, or give to any member of the Parish Council, on Sunday.   If you have questions, please contact the Church office, 904.829.0504 or Holy3GOC@gmail.com, or Carmela Tardo.   

 

Stewardship – A Pattern of Caring:Giving is a habit that begins with a commitment.  Becoming an active steward requires a conscious decision to actively support the needs of the church.  The commitment card we offer to Holy Trinity each year encourages us to give regularly.  There are extra cards in church, or you can call the church office.  

 

Children in a Church: 

  • Children are the future and the present of a vibrant Church.  Just last week Christianity Today/Women came out with a focus on the importance of Children in a Church.  There are a few specific things that we, as a parish, can do to make Holy Trinity a place that children can grow in Christ.  MOST IMPORTANT: we can all PRAY for our parish children every day.  Next, if you are a parent or grandparent, bring the kids to Church and to Sunday School.  A child learns to behave in Church only when they spend time in Church.  Many kids prefer to be up front because then they can see everything and it minimizes distractions.  Then, as a parish, we can be loving and accepting when the kids wiggle and jiggle and make little noises. 
  • There are so many activities and distractions that take us away from the life of the Church.  But ask yourself this question, when our youth are grown up and struggling with life’s challenges, what is going to help them more, their relationship with sports or their relationship with God?    
  • Children bring life and warmth to a parish.  Christ Himself welcomed children and oftentimes they are central in His miracles.  Many of the Saints in our church had lifechanging events happen to them as children which helped them dedicate their lives to Christ and become great individuals in social and political circles. St. John Chrysostom wrote an entire manuscript on the Right Way for Parents to Bring up their Children because he believed that parents have a hard task in raising their children within the Church. Let us all do our part!   Presbytera Renee Ritsi, 904.829.5132 ext 141

 

Wednesday Bulletin Submission:Please submit your articles weekly by or before Wednesday.

OPlease note: The administrative assistant will be out of the office for out-patient surgery/recovery March 19th - March 22nd.   Please plan the week ahead for bulletin article submission for Sunday, March 17th.

 

Weekly Offering:

  • Sacrificial Offerings - Weekly Offering:

March 3rd - Candles $114; Tray $89; Stewardship $1108

 “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  The Lord's day is to be the time for a weekly offering for the support of His cause.  Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

  • Festival Donation letters are available upon request from office or Treasurer.

 

 

 

 

 

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