Η εποχή μας χαρακτηρίζεται από τον αγώνα για την τελειοποίηση κάθε δραστηριότητας που έχει άμεση ή έμμεση σχεση με τον άνθρωπο. Παντού ακούει κανείς για βελτιστοποίηση των επιδόσεων ανθρώπων, συσκευών ή υπηρεσιών. Το δέντρο όμως κρίνεται από τον καρπό του. Έτσι, η καθολική υιοθέτηση αυτής της διαδικασίας εκτιμάται από τα αποτελέσματα που φέρνει στη ζωή του ανθρώπου.

Πραγματικά, ο άνθρωπος που εμπλέκεται στην αναζήτηση του τέλειου γίνεται τελειομανής. Η τελειομανία είναι το διαρκές κυνήγι της τελειότητας και είναι είναι παθολογικό φαινόμενο που βρίσκει ραγδαία αύξηση κυρίως στις αναπτυγμένες χώρες. Ο άνθρωπος γίνεται πολύ αυστηρός με τον εαυτό του. Τίποτα δεν του είναι αρκετό. Η αποτυχία για αυτόν είναι καταστροφή. Απαιτεί την τελειότητα ακόμα και από τους ανθρώπους του άμεσου περιβάλλοντός του.

Πολλές φορές, η τελειομανία ξεκινάει από την οικογένεια, όταν οι γονείς έχουν μεγάλες απαιτήσεις από τα παιδιά τους. Το παράδοξο είναι ότι τα παιδιά που μεγαλώνουν σε περιβάλλον που δεν έχει αυτές τις απαιτήσεις, επιτυγχάνουν περισσότερα από τα παιδιά των τελειομανών γονέων. Οι γονείς οφείλουν να μεγαλώσουν τα παιδιά τους περνώντας τους το μήνυμα ότι δεν είναι απαραίτητο να είναι τέλεια για να γίνουν δεκτά από την κοινωνία και κυρίως από εκείνους.

Ο τελειομανής γίνεται άνθρωπος αγχωτικός, καταθλιπτικός και αυτό έχει καταστροφικές συνέπειες τόσο για την σωματική όσο και για την ψυχική υγεία.

Παρόλα αυτά, ο Χριστός συστήνει την τελειότητα στον άνθρωπο, προβάλλοντας ώς πρότυπο τον Θεό Πατέρα. Πώς γίνεται αυτό; Με ποιες προϋποθέσεις; Υπάρχει σύγκρουση με όσα αναφέρονται παραπάνω; Με το επόμενο σημείωμα θα προσπαθήσουμε να προσεγγίσουμε την κατά Χριστόν τελειότητα.

 Perfectionism and Perfection in Christ 01

Our age is characterized by the struggle for the perfection of every activity that has a direct or indirect relationship with man. We hear everywhere about optimizing the performance of people, devices or services. But the tree is judged by its fruit. Thus, the universal adoption of this process is assessed by the results it brings to human life.

Indeed, the man who engages in the pursuit of perfection becomes a perfectionist. Perfectionism is the constant pursuit of perfection and is a pathological phenomenon that is increasing rapidly, especially in developed countries. Man becomes very strict with himself. Nothing is enough for him. Failure for him is a disaster. It demands perfection even from the people around him.

Many times, perfectionism starts in the family, when parents have high demands on their children. The paradox is that children who grow up in an environment that does not have these requirements, achieve more than the children of perfectionist parents. Parents need to raise their children by passing on the message that they do not have to be perfect to be accepted by society and especially by them.

The perfectionist becomes a stressful, depressed person and this has devastating consequences for both physical and mental health.

Nevertheless, Christ introduces perfection to man, projecting God the Father as a model. How is this done? Under what conditions? Is there a conflict with the above? With the next note we will try to approach perfection according to Christ.

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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Liturgical Services: Welcome parishioners and visitors for on-site services.We continue Live Stream Services on Facebook, please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/)

• On May 19, 2021, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios wrote: "it is important to consider the full text of the CDC's guideline, which reads: “...fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”The Metropolis will continue to ask our parishes to abide by the recommended CDC, as well as federal, state, and local guidelines in a spirit of good  faith."  

Special Prayer Requests: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Phil. 4:6-7)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners, Bill Duddy-ankle surgery, Ruza Basimamovic, Mikae Gaetanos, Faye Peterson, Chresanthe Lemieux, Zoe Kauttu, Maryann Bolt, James Day, Kostas Lantzounis (is at Bayview Rehab Center and welcomes visitors); Fr. Nikitas and Pres. Mary Theodosion, His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Margaret, James, Kyriake, Joseph, Alex Aclim, Irene Hastalis, Jane Anderson, Gwen H., Thanos Nikolopoulos and prayers for George Ritsi who fell asleep in the Lord on June 24th,  Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania; and Michael, Lisa & Liam Colburn.

Philoptochos and Outreach Committees: There will be a Philoptochos meeting Sunday, July 18th, 2021 after Liturgy. Kimisis tis Theotokou luncheon will be held Sunday, August 15th, 2021 after Liturgy. Cost is $12.00 and $5.00 for children under 12. Please help us celebrate the nameday of our chapter.

Stewardship: We invite you to join us in person for Sunday services!  Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of our faith -- incense, iconography, hymns, and prayers.  Stay after liturgy to meet new parishioners and to greet those you already know and have missed!  

Thank you to all who have continued to be active stewards in 2021.  For those that have not already done so, please go to our website (http://holytrinitygoc.com) and make a Stewardship contribution (under 'Make a Donation") to ensure that this place of faith, its priest and its ministries will be adequately supported.  Thank you!

Sunday School News:  Our parish honored the Sunday School students and all our children on Sunday May 30th following services.  It has been a challenging year and we are heartened by the number of children who participated in the Easter Services. An activity will be provided for children following services on August 15, 2021!  We will resume classes in September.

Adult Bible Study:  Bible study will resume in the fall.

Greek Fest To Go:  The Holy Trinity Church Greek Fest To Go was a success!  Thank you to the kitchen crew, runners and all the volunteers for your hard work.  You helped make our 2^nd Greek Fest To Go a successful event!   Preliminary figures show that we netted ~$8700.  This event also allowed many visitors to come and see our beloved church.  We look forward to planning the next event not only to include our delicious food, but Greek music, dancing, culture and more.  Opa!

Now that we are gathering after Liturgy, we invite everyone to offer snacks or refreshments after Liturgy.

What is needed?

• bring snacks or refreshments for 40-50 persons,  pre-wrapped or pre-plated is not essential, but makes distribution and clean up easier
• help will be available to wrap or set out what you offer
• paper goods, coffee, and sugar will be provided
• help will be available to make the coffee

How to sign up? it’s easy no need to enter any personal information

• go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44aeac2ba0fec25-coffee 
• click on the blue box that says SIGN UP, then on the brown box at the bottom of the screen that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP
• it will take you to the next screen, that says SIGN ME UP, and click on SIGN UP NOW
• any questions or need help, contact Carmela ctardo@gmail.com

Thank you from the Parish Council

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SERVICE/EVENT SCHEDULE (Sunday Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)

July

18         Philoptochos meeting after Liturgy

19         Parish Council (3rd Monday, monthly)

25         Fr. John Hayes will be honored during Liturgy with a reception following in Fellowship Hall

Metropolis of Atlanta Clergy-Laity

Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, SC - St. Stephen Camp II

Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, SC - St. Stephen Camp III

Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, SC - St. Stephen Camp IV

Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, SC - St. Stephen Camp V*

August

1-14      Dormition Fast

6          Transfiguration of Our Lord

15        Dormition of the Theotokos

15        Philoptochos Nameday Luncheon (Kimisis tis Theotokou luncheon) following liturgy

Aug. 16 thru Sept. 13 - Fr. Maximos will be on vacation in Greece

16        Parish Council 

29        Beheading of St. John the Baptist (strict fast)

Stewardship Drive planning TBA

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On-Line Giving:  Click “Donate Now” on our Church’s web page www.HolyTrinityGOC.com to make a gift. Giving categories – stewardship, memorials, etc. – have been set up to allow giving to specific funds.

Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you to light a candle during divine services on-line.  Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle.  Also, if you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos. Give via credit card, PayPal, or set up recurrent giving through your bank.  Please be sure a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction. 

Giving by Check:  When contributing by check, the notation on the memo line allows us to identify your intentions (i.e. stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.).

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****Ministry Needed - Parish Webmaster and FaceBook:  We are searching for someone who may have the talent and desire to post news onto the church website and Facebook pages.  This may be a once or twice a week activity.  If you have the talent and wish to give of your time in this way, please let the church office know. 

This is a very important and needful ministry for the life of our Parish.

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Contact Information:  Please call (904 829-0504) or email (holy3goc@gmail.com) Nelda to update your contact information.  Also, if you know of anyone who doesn’t receive parish emails but would like to, please encourage them to contact the parish office with their contact information.

Announcements:

• If you have a request for a special service such as a memorial, please email the church office at holy3goc@gmail.com or call 904 829-0504 (if you do not have access to email) in advance of requested date with details.

• If you would like any of the following, please contact Fr. Maximos via email at fathermaximusa7@gmail.com  or text him at 347 500-8176: 
• To receive a phone message from Father Maximos about services, special events or other subjects.
• To arrange an appointment for a House Blessing.
• To offer Holy Communion to someone in need at a hospital, nursing home, in hospice care, or at home.       

•  The normal deadline for the Church bulletin e-mail articles is before 12pm on Wednesday weekly.

If you want your announcements on the master calendar, please remember to e-mail them to the office at holy3goc@gmail.com (please note if the article/announcement is recurring or one time).