Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Fr. John Hays, Interim Priest
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.
On this day we commemorate Saint Cyril's falling asleep. On January 18 we commemorate the occasion of the Saint's restoration to his see in Alexandria after he had suffered a brief exile because of the machinations of the Nestorians. Shortly thereafter the Third Ecumenical Council was convoked in Ephesus and the blasphemous doctrine of Nestorius was condemned. See January 18 for Saint Cyril's life and works.
The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.
Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful.
Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.
After he established a number of monasteries and churches in his native Ireland, Saint Columba founded the renowned monastery of Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Having guided many in the path of salvation, reposed in peace in 597.
Saint Cyril of Belozersk, a Muscovite born in 1337, was tonsured in the Simonov Monastery in Moscow where he was later made abbot. Renouncing this position, at a revelation from the Mother of God he set out for the wilderness of Belozersk (White Lake) to live the life of a hermit. Later, when others desiring to lead the monastic life had gathered under his direction, he founded the Monastery of Belozersk. Throughout his life he had a very great reverence for the wonderworker, and was adorned with all the vitues, above all humility. Once, through the working of the enemy, one of his monks conceived an unendurable hatred for him; after being tormented by it for a whole year, he finally decided to reveal it to Cyril. When the monk was overcome with grief and shame at his malice towards such a venerable man, Cyril comforted him, affectionately telling him, "All the others are in error concerning me; only you have perceived my unworthiness," and forgiving him, sent him away in peace. Saint Cyril reposed on this day in 1427 at the age of ninety.
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 Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36.
IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from John 17:1-13
At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.
"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."
A Word from Fr. John: From the First Apology of St. Justin Martyr, about A.D. 150. (An “apology” (Greek apologia) was a vigorous and closely reasoneddefense of an idea or practice – in this case, explaining and defending Christianity to the Roman emperor, in light of false claims and persecutions against the Church.)
“Then bread and a cup of wine mixed with water are brought to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers prayers glorifying the Father of the universe through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and he utters a lengthy eucharist (‘thanksgiving’) because the Father has judged us worthy of these gifts. When the prayers and eucharist are finished, all the people present give their assent with an ‘Amen!’
... those whom we call ‘deacons’ distribute the bread and the wine and water over which the eucharist has been spoken to each of those present....
This food we call ‘eucharist,’ and no one may share it unless he believes that our teaching is true, and has been cleansed in the bath for forgiveness of sin and of rebirth, and lives as Christ taught. For we do not receive these things as if they were ordinary food and drink; but just as Jesus Christ our Savior was made flesh through the word of God and took on flesh and blood for our salvation, so too (we have been taught) through the word of prayer that comes from Him, the food over which the eucharist has been spoken becomes the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus, in order to nourish and transform our flesh and blood.”
Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for all parishioners, 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 notify Father John through the church office, or email prayer requests and updates to holy3goc@gmail.com.
Father’s Day Koliva: Gary and Faye Peterson are providing Koliva on Father’s Day, June 16, for all fathers who have fallen asleep unto the Lord. If you would like your loved ones remembered, please submit their names to Holy Trinity in time to have their name placed on the list for remembrance. There will also be a list by the candle stand on Sunday, June 16, so you can add your loved one’s name.
Hostess Schedule: Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com
Philoptochos: At each Clergy-Laity conference, the Philoptochos chapter of the host church promotes its local charity efforts at a luncheon (this year on Thursday, 5/27). We offer to our Holy Trinity parish family an opportunity to learn about, and donate to, the 3 charities chosen this year:
There will be bins in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 2-9-16 to collect the t-shirts and books. If you wish to offer gift cards, please give them to Philoptochos members. Your donations will make a difference to these worthwhile causes.
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.
Greek Summer Night Success: The 2019 Greek Summer Night was a huge success! Thank you everyone for your support and participation. We hosted over 130 guests. The night was filled with fun, dancing and Greek food. Additionally, we raised over $2400 for our beloved Holy Trinity Church. Kai tou hronou (and to next year)!
Communications: Electronic communications via email are quick and cost effective and will continue to be the primary method of communication to our parishioners. All important announcements are also in the church bulletin and printed copies are always available in church (in the narthex). However, if you do not have access to email and need to be sent a printed version of special documents like stewardship statements (not bulletins), please contact the church office Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 1:00.
Weekly Offering: Sacrificial Offerings - Weekly Offering: June 3 - Candles $63; Tray $92; Stewardship $2130
Every week, at each celebration of the Divine Liturgy, parish members and those joining in the Eucharistic celebration are invited to support the ministry of our parish through weekly financial contributions. As a result of the Town Hall vote, weekly offering baskets will be passed pew-by-pew before the dismissal from Divine Services.
2019 Greek Landing Day Celebration: Join Us in Welcoming the Metropolis of Atlanta as We Honor the Historic Arrival of the Five Hundred Greeks of the New Smyrna Colonist of 1768 at GREEK LANDING DAY 2019.
Tentative Schedule: 2:30 p.m. – St. Demetrios set up shrine; 4 p.m. - Service and Civic Ceremony; until 6 p.m. - Reception and Tours; 6 p.m. - Group arrives at Lightner Museum for informal tour; 6:30 p.m.- Dinner/Blessing; 7:15 p.m. – Dancers; 8 p.m. – Depart
For additional questions, please contact Christy Xynidis (386) 566-2896 or Denise Brown (386) 214-5126.
Wednesday Bulletin Submission: Please submit your articles weekly by Wednesday. Thank you.
Reminder: Sunday, August 18, Philoptochos Luncheon - Dormition of the Theotokos Feast Day
Office Closed Tuesday, June 11th