"Κύριε, καλόν εστιν ημάς ώδε είναι"

Οι τρεις Μαθητές, Πέτρος Ιάκωβος και Ιωάννης Απόστολος Πέτρος έχουν μια μοναδική εμπειρία στο όρος Θαβώρ. Ο Πέτρος ενθουσιασμένος, εκστατικός με το θέαμα, αναφωνεί: «Κύριε, καλόν εστιν ημάς ώδε είναι‧ ει θέλεις, ποιήσωμεν ώδε τρεις σκηνάς...». Με άλλα λόγια, «Είναι καλό, είναι πολύ ωραία να μείνουμε εδώ».

Ερμηνεύοντας αυτά τα λόγια, κάποιοι μελετητές ακόμα και Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας, διακρίνουν αμηχανία και σύγχυση στον Απόστολο. Από την άλλη πλευρά άλλοι Άγιοι θεωρούν ότι σε αυτά τα λόγια αποτυπώνεται το έντονο βίωμα του Πέτρου. Ο Μαθητής γνώριζε ότι σύντομα θα επέστρεφαν στην πόλη όπου ζούσαν. Μετά από αυτή την υπερφυσική εμπειρία επρόκειτο να συναντήσουν τον θόρυβο, την ταραχή, τα προβλήματα της πόλης. Τι νόημα είχε από την ουράνια κατάσταση που βρέθηκαν, να βρεθούν στην εντελώς γήινη πραγματικότητα; Κάθε άνθρωπος στη θέση του θα αντιδρούσε με τον ίδιο τρόπο.

Μήπως όμως και εμείς, ως Χριστιανοί, σύμφωνα με τα μέτρα μας έχουμε παρόμοια εμπειρία; «Ανάσταση Χριστού θεασάμενοι...» λέμε κατά τη διάρκεια της Θείας Λειτουργίας. Ακόμα, μετά την Θεία Κοινωνία ψάλλουμε ότι «Εἵδομεν τό φῶς το αληθινό». Δεν λέει απλώς ότι πληροφορηθήκαμε ή ακούσαμε περί της Αναστάσεως ή του φωτός. Γίναμε μέτοχοι της Αναστάσεως, είδαμε το φως το αληθινό. Ο θησαυρός που μας παρέχει ο Χριστός με την Εκκλησία Του, γέμισε την ψυχή μας. Εάν δεν είχαμε αυτή την Θεία γεύση, την Θεία αίσθηση κάτι συμβαίνει. Σύμφωνα με τα λόγια του Χριστού, όπου ο θησαυρός, εκεί βρίσκεται και η καρδιά μας. Βρήκαμε αυτό τον θησαυρό στην Εκκλησία; «καλόν εστιν ημάς ώδε είναι».

"Lord, it is good for us to be here"

The three Disciples, Peter, James and John, have a unique experience on Mount Tabor. Peter excited, ecstatic with the spectacle, exclaims: “Lord, is it good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles ... ». In other words, “It's good, it's very nice to stay here”.

In interpreting these words, some scholars, even Fathers of the Church, discern embarrassment and confusion in the Apostle. On the other hand, other Saints believe that these words reflect the intense experience of Peter. The Student knew that they would soon return to the city where they lived. After this supernatural experience they were to meet the noise, the commotion, and the problems of the city. What was the meaning after the celestial state they found, to be found in the completely earthly reality? Each person in his position would react in the same way.

But do we, as Christians, have a similar experience according to our measures? "Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ ..." we say during the Divine Liturgy. Also, after Holy Communion we chant that "We have seen the true light". It does not simply say that we have been informed or heard about the Resurrection or the light. We became partakers of the Resurrection, we saw the true light. The treasure that Christ provides for us through His Church, filled our souls. If we did not have this Divine taste, the Divine sense, something happens. According to the words of Christ, where your treasure is, there will be our heart also. Did we find this treasure in the Church? "It is good for us to be here".

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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/)

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, Michael and Ingrid Fotianos, Bill Duddy-ankle, Susan Stone - surgery, Margo Kelley's mother, Maria, 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,  Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania.

Philoptochos:  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.

School starts August 16th in St. John's. County. The Philoptochos is conducting a drive to collect school supplies for area Title 1 schools. 

Items requested include folders with pockets, one subject notebooks both wide ruled and college ruled, headphones, #2 pencils, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, pencil cases and similar supplies.  If you are interested in buying bulk supplies, if you enter bulk school supplies in the search line you will get a list of companies including Amazon.

Please bring your donations to the church hall during office hours or on Sundays after liturgy. We will be collecting school supplies from now until August 9.

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:

Important dates:

Aug 15 – blessing of the backpack. 

Aug 22 – first day of Sunday School. 

Sunday School Registration begins August 1.  Please print and fill in the attached Registration Form and bring it to Church on Sunday.  All kids should be registered.

“God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.” Neal Maxwell.  Are you available?  Holy Trinity Sunday School needs a few volunteers to assist with Sunday School this year.  We’re pretty sure if you are available, and prove our dependability, He will certainly help make you the best Sunday School Teacher imaginable.  Please contact Carman Gaetanos 904 540-0367 or Presbytera Renee Ritsi 904 377-2591. 

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

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)

August

1-14      Dormition Fast

4          Small Paraklesis Wed. 6 p.m.

6          Transfiguration of Our Lord (Small Paraklesis) Fri. 6 p.m.

8          3 yr. Memorial for Steve Sarris (Efsthathios), husband of Gerry Sarris and father of Ellen Sarris Kelbert

10        Greek Festival Meeting, Tues. 6 p.m.

11        Small Paraklesis Wed. 6 p.m.

13        Small Paraklesis Fri. 6 p.m.

15        Dormition of the Theotokos

15        Blessings of Backpacks

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

Aug. 16 thru Sept. 13 - Fr. Maximos on vacation (Fr. Michael Byars will fill-in as parish priest)

16        Parish Council (3rd Monday monthly unless otherwise notified)

20th    DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR THE SEPT./OCT. NEWSLETTER TO CHURCH OFFICE

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

Sept:

3          Rehearsal for Eddings/Harwood Wedding 5:30 pm

4          Destination Wedding - Ariana Eddings & Katon Harwood 11 a.m. (Fr. Dimitrios Pappas officiating)

5         1 yr. Memorial for Mary Spanos, mother of Gail Jones (Fr. Michael Byars will conduct service)

Giving:

• 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.

Parish Announcements:

(If you are not receiving your electronic church bulletin or notices ... or you know of someone who has not received theirs ... PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE DIRECTLY via email <holy3goc@gmail.com> with your correct email so it can be corrected on listserv.  Thank you,)

• 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).