A Word from Fr. John:

From the Sayings of the Desert Fathers (adopted from the translation by Helen Waddell):

“The abbot Antony [St. Anthony the Great – Fr. John] said, ‘He who sits in solitude and is quiet has escaped from three wars: hearing, speaking, and seeing. Yet, against one thing shall he continually battle: that is, his own heart.’”

“The abbess Matrona said, ‘It is better to have many about you, and to live the solitary life in your will, than to be alone, and the desire of your mind to be with the crowd.’”

“There were three earnest men who loved one another, and they became monks. And one of them chose to bring to accord such as take the law of each other [a sort of monastic, volunteer “legal adviser”? – Fr. John], according to that which is written: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ The second chose to visit the sick. But the third went away to be quiet in solitude.

“Now the first, toiling amidst the contentions of men, was not able to appease them all. And overcome with weariness, he came to him who tended the sick, and found him also failing in spirit and unable to carry out his purpose. And the two agreed together and went away to see him who had withdrawn into the desert, and they told him their tribulations; and they asked him to tell them how he himself had fared.

“He was silent for a while. And then he poured water into a vessel and said, ‘Look upon the water.’ And it was murky. After a little while he said again, ‘Look now, how clear the water has become.’ And as they looked into the water, they saw their own faces as in a mirror. Then he said to them: ‘So is he who abides in the midst of men. Because of the turbulence, he sees not his sins; but when he has been quiet, above all in solitude, then he recognizes himself as he is.’”

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! 

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 notify Father John through the church office, or email prayer requests and updates to holy3goc@gmail.com.

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

Today, March 31                                                Annunciation Luncheon                        

Parish Visit & Retreat with His Grace Bishop Sevantianos:Be a part of His Grace Sevastianos of Zelon’s First hierarchical visit to St. Augustine!  We welcome the newly-appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Atlanta Metropolis who is assigned to our parish in order to help cultivate in us a readiness to receive a full-time priest. Learn more about His Grace’s significant Church service: https://atlmetropolis.org/bishop-sevastianos-of-zela.

Thursday, April 11^th       3:00 PM                       Arrival in Jacksonville (JAX)

                                                             First visit to St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

   6:30 PM                  Meeting: Parish Council & FTP (Full-time Priest Committee)

Friday, April 12^th          9:00 AM                       Morning Prayers at OCMC

                                                                                 Confessions* at Holy Trinity parish

                                                            *To schedule, sign-up on the bulletin board or e-mail

                       His Grace directly at: bishopsebastian@atlmetropolis.org.

     5:30 PM                       Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, April 13^th:     10:00 AM-1:00 PM      Parish Retreat: Offered by His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela                                     

                                                                All Are Welcome--Invite Your Family, Friends & Neighbors

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

                                                                                    Followed by a Light Lenten Lunch

Sunday School News:  March 31 (Sunday of the Holy Cross) and April 21 (Palm Sunday) the students will remain in church for the Feast day.  One of the things parents constantly ask is how to keep their children involved in Church during Lent and interested in attending the extra services. As parents we struggle to find balance between every day activities (both theirs and ours) and our own and our children’s spiritual lives.    This blog has 40 ideas for parents to keep their kids interested in Lent:  http://www.orthodoxmom.com/2019/03/13/40-activities-for-great-lent/ that are ways to help our kids stay connected. 

Iconography Update:  Our iconographer Aristidis Kovaci has begun work on the Pantocrator and Prophets in his studio in Orange Park.  He will assemble the icons, paint the background, and write the inscriptions here in our church.  Installation of the icons will take about 10-14 days, and during that time, because of the scaffolding, we will have services in the Fellowship Hall.  We look forward watching the iconography installation after Pascha, in May, and its completion before Pentecost.  

Philoptochos - March 31 Lenten Luncheon: Please join us today, Sunday, March 31st, as Philoptochos honors the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greek Independence Day with a fish luncheon. $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.  No advance purchase necessary.

Greek Summer Night:  SAVE THE DATE.  Greek Summer Night will be Saturday, June 1, 2019, featuring DJ Arista from Tarpon Springs.  Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and family.  Opa!

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 parish each year encourages us to give regularly. There are extra cards in church, or you can call the church office.  

Weekly Offering:

• Sacrificial Offerings - Weekly Offering:

March 24 - Candles $163; Tray $73; Stewardship $1657

 “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.

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