Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες Δάσκαλοι της Οικουμένης.

Οι Άγιοι Τρεις Ιεράρχες έγραψαν σπουδαία εκκλησιαστικά κείμενα τα οποία είναι διαποτισμένα από έντονο φιλοσοφικό πνεύμα. Η διδασκαλία τους είναι κατανοητή και αγκαλιάζει ολόκληρο τον κόσμο χωρίς διακρίσεις μεταξύ φύλων, φυλών, χρωμάτων ή θρησκευτικών δογμάτων. Γι’ αυτό ονομάστηκαν Οικουμενικοί Διδάσκαλοι. Φυσικά χρησιμοποίησαν τις πολύ υψηλού επιπέδου σπουδές τους. Όμως η πίστη και η ταπεινοφροσύνη τους ήταν ο αγωγός επικοινωνίας με όλες αυτές τις διαφορετικές κοινωνίες ανθρώπων και ταυτόχρονα με το Θείο.

Ο ταπεινός άνθρωπος δεν χρειάζεται να γνωρίζει προσωπικά τον συνάνθρωπό του για να χτίσει τη γέφυρα επικοινωνίας και κατανόησης. Η ταπεινοφροσύνη είναι η γλώσσα που καταλαβαίνει κάθε άνθρωπος σε όλα τα μήκη και πλάτη της Γης. Ταυτόχρονα όμως ανοίγει τον δρόμο για να έρθει η Θεία Χάρη στην ψυχή. Αντίθετα οι περήφανοι δυσκολεύονται. Είναι σαν να μιλάς μια άγνωστη γλώσσα. Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες αγάπησαν τον Χριστό περισσότερο από τον εαυτό τους. Αγάπησαν τον Χριστό που είναι η Αλήθεια. Ομοίως, η Αλήθεια, δηλαδή ο Χριστός τους αγάπησε και τους αποκαλύφθηκε. Η διδασκαλία τους είναι εμπνευσμένη από το Πνεύμα της Αλήθειας, όπως ονομάζεται το Άγιο Πνεύμα.

Σήμερα η εποχή μας μπορεί να καυχηθεί για την επικοινωνία. Πόσο εύκολα μετακινούμαστε από τη μια γωνιά της γης στην άλλη! Πόσο εύκολα μπορούμε να επικοινωνήσουμε με οποιοδήποτε μέρος του κόσμου. Μα πόσο δύσκολη είναι η αληθινή, εγκάρδια επικοινωνία των ανθρώπων. Όσο κοντά είναι. Ακόμα και στο ίδιο σπίτι. Και αυτό γιατί δεν υπάρχει σχέση με Αυτόν που ενώνει τις ψυχές των ανθρώπων. Ας παρακαλέσουμε τους Αγίους Τρεις Ιεράρχες να μεσιτεύσουν υπέρ ημών. Ας τους παρακαλέσουμε να μας βοηθήσουν να γίνουμε ταπεινοί και να ανοίξουμε τον δρόμο για την επικοινωνία μας με τον Θεό και τους συνανθρώπους μας.

The Three Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers

The Saints Three Hierarchs wrote great ecclesiastical texts which are imbued with a strong philosophical spirit. Their teaching is understood and embraces the whole world without discriminating between genders, races, colors or religious denominations. That is why they were named Ecumenical Teachers. Of course they used their very high level studies. But their faith and humility was the conduit of communication with all these different societies of people and at the same time with the Divine.

The humble man does not need to know his fellow man personally to build the bridge of communication and understanding. Humility is the language that every human being understands in all the lengths and breadths of the Earth. At the same time, however, it opens the way for Divine Grace to come to the soul. On the contrary, for the proud it is very difficult. It is like speaking an unknown language. The Three Hierarchs loved Christ more than themselves. They loved Christ who is the Truth. Similarly, the Truth, that is, Christ, loved them and was revealed to them. Their teaching is inspired by the Spirit of Truth, as the Holy Spirit is called.

Today our age can boast of the communication. How easily we move from one corner of the planet to the other! How easily we can communicate with any part of the Earth. But how difficult is the true, heartfelt communication of people. No matter how close they are. Even in the same house. And this is because there is no relationship with the One who unites the souls of people. Let us ask the Saints Three Hierarchs to intercede for us. Let us ask them to help us become humble and open the way for our communication with God and our fellow human beings.

 "Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"

All who were listed as 2021-22 Stewards in our records as of January 19 should have received a letter notifying you of our upcoming church membership directory.  If you have not already responded, please do so now as we are planning to send it out next week.

For those who have not yet made a 2022 stewardship pledge, please prayerfully consider the role each of us plays in sustaining our parish.  Your regular contribution, in any amount, truly makes a difference!

ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT HTGOC

Aristidis Kovaci, who painted our Pantocrator and Platytera, will offer a workshop at our church for persons interested in learning to paint an icon. Over the course of 5 days, participants will complete a full-sized icon on a wood panel, as they learn about the artistic aspects and visual language of iconography. For more about Aristidis, visit his website www.kovaciart.com, and “like” him on Facebook to see more of his work.  For more information about the workshop, please email Carmela at ctardo@gmail.com and leave your phone number and the best time to call you.

St. Paul writes: "Fathers [parents], bring them [your children] up with the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) Our goal is that Holy Trinity Sunday School be an encouragement to your child's spiritual life and growth and a supplement to what you as a parent are trying to accomplish at home as you educate your child in the Faith, "bringing them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.” For parents and students that may prefer a zoom alternative, please contact Presbytera Renee Ritsi at 904 377-2591.

Philoptochos:

On Sunday February 6, the Philoptochos  will pass a tray to benefit Saint Photios National Shrine.  All Philoptochos chapters pass this tray in the month of February.  Donations are pooled together by the National Philoptochos Organization for the Shrine.

On Sunday. February 13th after Liturgy, the Philoptochos and Outreach Committee will sponsor the Souper Bowl of Caring event.  Plan on sampling a variety of homemade soups.  Donations will be collected and will benefit the I.O.C.C.  if you would like to donate a pot of soup for the event, please contact Irene at iperge45@gmail.com or Toula at zotost@gmail.com.

Monday Night Bible Study:

The adult Bible Study occurs each Monday from 8 to 9 PM online through Zoom.  The meeting can be accessed by going to https://classes.theColburns.us. Click on the menu item that says “Online”. You can also click on the name of the class to view videos of past sessions and bibliography information. The meeting passcode is 030927.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

ALL FEBRUARY AND MARCH DATES AVAILABLE.

What to bring?

• refreshments for 30-35 persons, pre-wrapped or pre-plated makes clean up easier
• paper goods, coffee, and condiments provided
• help available to make the coffee

How to sign up?

• go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44aeac2ba0fec25-coffee 
• click the blue box that says SIGN UP, then the brown box at the bottom of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP
• it will take you to the next screen, click on SIGN UP NOW

Questions? Don’t want to sign up online? Contact Carmela ctardo@gmail.com or 904 687-5433.

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

January 2022

26       Small Vespers w/potluck - 6pm

30       Orthros/Divine Liturgy, 9:00/10:00 AM

30        Three Hierarchs

Sunday School luncheon

February

2          Presentation of the Lord

2-5       Holy Trinity, Orlando, FL - Table Extraordinaire

5-6       St. Photios Orthodox National Shrine Pilgrimage

6          Philoptochos  will pass a tray to benefit Saint Photios National Shrine.

13        1-year memorial offered by Paul & Gigi Ray for Maria Grammas Eugenis, mother of Gigi and

            Constantine Fifles, uncle of Gigi.  May their memory be eternal.

13        Triodion begins

13        Souper Bowl of Caring

21        Parish Council (3rd Monday) 6:30 p.m.

             St. Photios Shrine - Paraklesis - 12:30pm

26        1st Saturday of Souls - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy

26        Herera/Varley Wedding Rehearsal 4pm

27        Meatfare Sunday

27        Herera/Varley Wedding 3pm

• 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.).

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 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.

Join OCMC as a Missionary Department Administrative Assistant

OCMC is looking for someone to join our organization in St. Augustine, Florida as a Missionary Department Administrative Assistant. The position includes interfacing with missionary applicants, candidates, and missionaries in the field. We are searching for someone who can work in a detailed and organized manner, who has experience with Microsoft Excel and reporting systems, and has an interest in the mission work of the Church. If you're interested, please contact Dn. James Nicholas at djames@ocmc.org.

AGES Initiatives: is now a part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America!

The GOA Digital Chant Stand provides resources intended to enhance the worship experience of the Orthodox faithful with easily accessible service texts and musical scores. The web address has changed to https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html. Use this site to access texts and music for Orthros, Divine Liturgy, and other services on your electronic device.

Weekly Photo:
Πάντα εν σοφία εποίησας/In wisdom you have made them all. (Psalms 104:24)

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5127266363984966/

Τα πουλάκια, μου φάνηκαν εκείνη τη στιγμή ότι έμοιαζαν σαν νότες σε μουσικό πεντάγραμμο. Και τα μικρά σπίτια στο βάθος προσέθεταν ταπεινούς αρμονικούς στην πανδαισία των χρωμάτων.

Οπότε, μπήκα στο νερό και πήρα αυτή την όμορφη φωτογραφία.

Νομίζω όμως ότι κάθε άνθρωπος θέλει να μιλήσει με μια ιδιαίτερη γλώσσα, αυτή των συναισθημάτων. Και να προβάλλει τις εικόνες που κάποια εξωτερικά ερεθίσματα δημιουργούν στην ψυχή του, με όποιο εκφραστικό μέσο του δίνει μεγαλύτερη ευκολία.

Ο ποιητής, ο λογογράφος, με την πένα τους, ο μουσικός με τις νότες και τις μουσικές κλίμακες, ο ζωγράφος με το πινέλο και τον καμβά του. Και ο φωτογράφος με τον φακό και την κάμερα.

Το νεογέννητο βρέφος στις πρώτες κουβέντες της μητέρας του είναι σχεδόν ανέκφραστο, το μωρό χαμογελάει, αργότερα ανταποκρίνεται με σκιρτήματα χαράς, το παιδάκι θα πει λίγες λεξούλες ή θα πιάσει το μολύβι για να αποτυπώσει αυτά που αισθάνεται. Και ο ενήλικας θα βρει ένα όχημα της τέχνης για να μας μεταφέρει το μήνυμά του. Οι μουσικές κλίμακες δεν χρησιμοποιούνται μόνο από τις νότες. Είναι κλίμακες ανόδου, αν θέλετε και καθόδου, των ακροατών. Σωστά; Και όλοι αυτοί, με την τέχνη θα μας ταξιδέψουν στο κόσμο της ευαισθησίας τους, τον ορατό, τον κόσμο του πνεύματος ή, και τον Πνευματικό.

________________

The birds, at that moment, seemed to me to look like notes on a musical stave. And the small houses in the background added humble harmonies to the pandemonium of colors.

So, I went into the water and took this beautiful photo.

But I think every person wants to speak a special language, that of emotions. And to project the images that some external stimuli create in his soul, with whatever means of expression gives him greater ease.

The poet, the writer, with their pen, the musician with the notes and the musical scales, the painter with his brush and his canvas. And the photographer with the lens and the camera.

The newborn baby in his mother's first words is almost expressionless, the baby smiles, later responds with leaps of joy, the toddler will say a few words or grab a pencil to capture what he is feeling. And the adult will find an art vehicle to convey his message to us. Musical scales are not just used by the notes. They are scales of ascent, if you want and descent, of the listeners. Right; And all of them, with the art will travel us to the world of their sensitivity, the visible, the world of the spirit and or, the Spiritual one.