Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your kingdom; glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind. Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν· διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone

We venerate Your immaculate icon, O good Lord, and entreat You to forgive our offences, O Christ our God. By Your own choice you were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver us, whom You created, from our slavery to the foe. Therefore we cry to You with gratitude: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world. Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου, προσκυνοῦμεν ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας, ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν κόσμον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

O champion General, I your City now inscribe to your triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, from all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Saints and Feasts

March 17

Theocteristos the Confessor

March 17

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 17

Martyr Paul

March 17

Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.

March 17

Marinos the Martyr

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 Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Parish News

A Word from Fr. John:

“Christ has put on us armor that is more glittering than gold, stronger than any steel, hotter and more violent than any fire, and lighter than any breath of air. The nature of this armor does not burden and bend our knees... since it is a new kind of combat.

Although I am a man, I must aim my blows at demons; although clad in flesh, my struggle is with incorporeal powers. On this account God has made my breastplate not from metal but from justice; He has prepared for me a shield which is made not of bronze but of faith. I have, too, a sharp sword, the word of the Spirit. The devil shoots darts at me, but I have a sword. He is an archer, but I am a heavy-armed soldier. Learn from this his tactics: the archer does not dare to draw near; he shoots his darts from afar.”

– St. John Chrysostom, from Daily Readings from the Writings of St. John Chrysostom, edited by Anthony Conia

Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for all parishioners, especially 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. We also welcome all visitors, college students, and inquirers, and hope to enjoy today’s Fellowship with you! We especially pray for Nelda Hann, our Parish Administrator, who has an outpatient surgery Tuesday, March 19^th, and for her complete recovery thereafter. Pray to Saint Nektarios of Aegina and other saints known for continued works of healing and comfort, and for her family who will assist her at this time.

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, or email 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 17 Ellen Kelbert, Melissa Kauttu-Strange
March 24 Pres Renee Ritsi, Evangelia Brati
March 31 Monthly Potluck

Parish Council Announcements:

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.
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^th: His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon looks forward to hearing Confessions, Presiding Over the Akithist Service, and offering a Retreat for the whole parish entitled: The Prodigal Son: A Story of Love, Forgiveness, and Homecoming. (Biography available at:https://atlmetropolis.org/bishop-sevastianos-of-zela) Here is the Schedule:

Parish Council Announcements:

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.
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^th: His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon looks forward to hearing Confessions, Presiding Over the Akithist Service, and offering a Retreat for the whole parish entitled: The Prodigal Son: A Story of Love, Forgiveness, and Homecoming. (Biography available at:https://atlmetropolis.org/bishop-sevastianos-of-zela) Here is the Schedule:

Thursday, 11 April

6:30 PM

Meeting with Parish Council & FTP Committee

Friday, 12 April

Afternoon & Evening

Confessions at Holy Trinity

E-mail His Grace directly to schedule:bishopsebastian@atlmetropolis.org

5:30 PM

Akathist Hymn to The Theotokos

Saturday, 13 April

8:30 AM

All the Faithful Arrive

Greet, Meet & Be Blessed By His Grace

(Church Attire or Cultural Costume)

9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Parish Retreat – All Are Welcome – Bring your whole family, friends & neighbors!

The Prodigal Son: A Story of Love, Forgiveness, and Homecoming

Offered by His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela

Light Lenten Meal

Sunday School News: Today, March 17th is the Sunday of Orthodoxy. This Feast dates back to when the Seventh Ecumenical Council addressed the controversy of icons and their place in Orthodox worship (787 AD). Today we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, and at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the youth (in some parishes adults too) carry icons in a procession around the inside of the Church. There is no Sunday School today. Don’t forget to bring your icons to Church!

Philoptochos:

Annunciation & Greek Independence Day Luncheon Sunday, March 31th: Philoptochos honors the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greek Independence Day with a fish luncheon on Sunday, March 31. Join us for a delicious meal and short program, including our Nisiotes dancers! $10 for adults and takeout, $5 for children under 12.
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 by March 20 if support is needed. Details for the camp are at https://atlmetropolis.org/st-stephens-summer-camp.

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.

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 children to church and to Sunday School. A child learns to behave in Church only when he or she spends 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 14

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

Please note: The administrative assistant will be out of the office for out-patient surgery/recovery March 19^th - March 22^nd.

Greek Summer Night: SAVE THE DATE. This year's Greek Summer Night event will be Saturday, June 1, 2019. Join us for a night filled with Greek food, music and dance. Come for the fun, fellowship and family. Opa!

Weekly Offering:

Sacrificial Offerings - Weekly Offering: March 10^th - Candles $146; Tray $157; Stewardship $3426

“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.

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 29^th 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/

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - Schedule for Lent and Holy Week 2019

Wed, Mar. 13: The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts @ 5:30 p.m.

Wed., Mar. 20: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ 5:30 p.m.

Mon., Mar. 25: The Annunciation of the Theotokos

Orthros @ 9 a.m., Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

Wed., Mar. 27: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ 5:30 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 3: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ 5:30 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 10: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ 5:30 p.m.

Fri., Apr. 12: Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos @ 5:30 p.m.

His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela Presiding

His Grace also will be available to hear confessions

(sign-up March 31 through April 7 following Divine Services)

Sat., Apr. 13: Parish Retreat @ 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

“The Prodigal Son: A Story of Love, Forgiveness, and Homecoming” by His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Retreat Leader

(with light refreshment and followed by lunch)

Wed., Apr. 17: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ 5:30 p.m.

++++++++++++

Sat., Apr. 20: Lazarus Saturday — Orthros @ 9 a.m./Liturgy @ 10 a.m.

(followed by making of palm crosses, church cleaning & decorating, etc.)

Sun., Apr. 21: Palm Sunday — Orthros @ 9 a.m./Liturgy @ 10 a.m.

Holy Monday: Bridegroom Orthros (Nymphios) @ 6 p.m.

Holy Tuesday: Bridegroom Orthros (Nymphios) @ 6 p.m.Holy Wednesday: Holy Unction Service @ 6 p.m.Holy Thursday: Vesperal Liturgy (Mystical Supper) (Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great)

Holy Thursday: 12 Passion Gospels @ 6 p.m.

Great and Holy Friday: Royal Hours @ 9 a.m.

Great and Holy Friday: Vespers @ 3 p.m. (Removal of Christ’s Body from the Cross)

Great and Holy Friday: Orthros (Lamentations) @ 6 p.m. (Lamentations service, procession with Epitaphios)

Great and Holy Saturday: Vesperal Liturgy (Descent into Hades) @ 11 a.m. (Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great)

Saturday Night/Midnight of Sunday

Resurrectional Service of Great and Holy Pascha @ 11:30 p.m. (Midnight Office, Resurrectional Procession, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom – followed by Paschal meal and fellowship with “Margiritsa”)

Great and Holy Pascha: Agape Vespers @ noon (Followed by whole lamb off-the-spit & endless potluck picnic with the Easter egg hunt, Greek dancing & bring-your-own sports/fun activities)

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

Saints and Feasts

Theocteristos the Confessor

Sunday of Orthodoxy

Martyr Paul

Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Marinos the Martyr

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Parish News