Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00am V. Rev. Father Maximos Politis, Priest
Ένας απλός ψαράς. An ordinary fisherman
Μετά από μια ωραία λειτουργία και θαυμάσια επικοινωνία με τους ενορίτες μου κάθισα να ετοιμάσω την εκκλησία για την επόμενη λειτουργία. Γύρισα σχετικά αργά. Στο πάρκινγκ του σπιτιού συζήτησα με κάποιους επισκέπτες που έψαχναν διαμέρισμα για τον γιο τους. Μιλήσαμε όμορφα και καλά. Στη συνέχεια συνάντησα τον Bill, έναν γείτονα που ψαρεύει συχνά. Κρατάει πολύ λίγα για τον εαυτό του και μοιράζει τα υπόλοιπα. Δίνει και σε μένα.
Μίλησα αρκετά μαζί του. "Πές μου ότι είμαι εγωιστής", είπε. "Αλλά αισθάνομαι πολύ όμορφα όταν δίνω τα ψάρια στους γείτονες. Είναι ένα δώρο στον εαυτό μου. Τι να κάνω; να τα μαζεύω; Και ξέρεις γιατί τα δίνω καθαρισμένα; Γιατί κάποιος γείτονας, που δίνω και σε αυτόν, δούλευε στα ψαροκάϊκα. Κάθε φορά λοιπόν που του δίνω, μου ζητάει όλη την ψαριά να τα καθαρίσει ο ίδιος ώστε και εκείνος να έχει συμμετοχή στην προσφορά. Δεν του το αρνούμαι για να μη νομίζει ότι περιφρονώ την υπηρεσία του". Αυτά από τον Bill. Και από τον Θεό επίσης.
An ordinary fisherman
After a nice Divine Liturgy and wonderful communication with my parishioners I remained in the church to prepare it for the next Liturgy. I came back home relatively late. In the parking lot of the house I talked to some visitors who were looking to find an apartment for their son. We spoke nicely and well. Then I met Bill, a neighbor who often fishes. He keeps very few fish for himself and distributes the rest. He gives to me too.
We talked a lot. "Tell me I'm selfish," he said. "But I feel very good when I give the fish to the neighbors. It's a gift to myself. What should I do? Should I collect it? And do you know why I give it cleaned? Because a neighbor, whom I also give to, now retired, was working on fishing boats. So every time I give it to him, he asks me to clean all the fish himself so that he too can participate in the offer. I do not deny it so that he does not think I despise his service." These from Bill. And from the Lord as well.
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Saturday of Souls
The three Saturday of Souls saddle The Triodion period with the first Saturday of Great and Holy Lent. This year the Orthodox faithful commemorate the Church Triumphant on February 26, March 5 and March 12. Faye Peterson will prepare the Koliva.
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Parish Council News
The new Holy Trinity Church parish council and officers include Stephanie Danikas (secretary), Polly Hillier, Stephanos Kallas, Niko Kelley, Nick Lekas (president), Andrew Lekos (treasurer), Bill Lulias (vice-president), Kaliroi Parris and Toula Zotos. The parish council is a ministry and all those who serve are called to represent Christ and the Orthodox Faith. The council is responsible to the parish assembly for conducting all parish affairs in keeping with the mission, aims and purposes of the Church.
General Assembly - March 6th following Liturgy:
The Sunday, March 6, 2022, General Assembly will be held after Divine Liturgy at 12:00 p.m.
Please plan to attend as all are welcome and needed!
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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 - David Kingwell, son-in-law of Jim and Judie Pappas, who is receiving treatment for cancer; prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos who fell asleep in the Lord; Chris Bersu; Michael and Ingrid Fotianos; Ruza Basimamovic; Chresanthe Lemieux; Zoe Kauttu; Maryann Bolt; James Day; Margaret, James, Kyriake; Joseph, Alex Aclim; Jane Anderson; Gwen H.; and Thanos Nikolopoulos. Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania
"Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"
As Stewards of this parish, the ability to stay connected with one another is an important part of belonging to our church family. We have now created a membership directory to make those connections easier. If you are a 2021-22 Steward you should have recently received your copy of this new directory. As more people make 2022 stewardship commitments, we will periodically send out updated versions of this directory. Many thanks to all who make us stronger with their support!
Sunday School News: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.
The Book of Hebrews - Monday Night Bible Study:
The adult Bible Study occurs each Monday from 8 to 9 PM online through Zoom. Starting February 7, we are studying the Book of Hebrews, from which are taken the weekday epistle readings for Lent. Hebrews presents Our Lord Jesus Christ as our High Priest in Heaven, in fulfillment of the Jewish law, and encourages us to persevere in our faith in the face of difficulties.
The meeting can be accessed by going to https://mcolburn.us.
Click on “Online”. There is also a link for the slides and videos of previous classes. The meeting passcode is 030927.
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Check for Available Dates
What to bring?
How to sign up?
Questions? Don’t want to sign up online? Contact Stefanie Burke <sburke0211@yahoo.com> or 904 671-4566.
SERVICE/EVENT SCHEDULE (Sundays Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)
February
26 1st Saturday of Souls - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy
26 Herera/Varley Wedding Rehearsal 4pm
27 Meatfare Sunday
27 4 year memorial offered by Angeliki Lekos for her father, Anastasios Kladis. May his memory be eternal.
27 Herera/Varley Wedding 3pm
27 Philoptochos Meetng after Liturgy
27 Greek Festival Meeting following Liturgy
March
5 2nd Saturday of Souls - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy
6 Cheesefare Sunday; Missions Sunday
6 Spring General Assembly following liturgy
7 Great Lent begins
9 Presanctified begins - 6pm
11 Salutations begins - 6pm
12 3rd Saturday of Souls - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy
13 Daylight Savings Time begins
13 Sunday of Orthodoxy
16 Presanctified - 6pm
18 Salutations - 6pm
20 Memorial offered by Stephanie Danikas for her grandparents, Andrew Danikas (passed 3/20/16) and
Sonia-Synodi Danika (passed 3/17/18) May their memory be eternal.
21 St. Photios Shrine - Great Compline - 12:30pm
21 Parish Council
23 Presanctified - 6pm
24 Vespers - 6pm
25 Annunciation, Greek Independence Day - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy
25 Salutations - 6pm
27 Philoptochos luncheon
30 Presanctified - 6pm
April
1 Salutations - 6pm
6 Presanctified - 6pm
8 Salutations & Akathist - 6pm
10 Pascha card deadline
16 Saturday of Lazarus - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy
17 Palm Sunday - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy
18-23 Holy Week
18 Parish Council
18 Holy Monday - Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm
19 Holy Tuesday -Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm
20 Holy Wednesday - Holy Unction Service, 6:00 pm
21 Holy Thursday - Liturgy for the Mystical Supper – Vesperal Liturgy, 9:00 am
22 Holy Friday
23 Holy Saturday
24 PASCHA
Agape Picnic
25-30 Bright Week
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:
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)
An Important Message from his Eminence Metropolitan
2022 Stewardship
Philanthropy – Fellowship – Faith in Action We invite you to join Philoptochos & help us achieve our mission!
Please open attached flyer for information on the upcoming Oratorical Festival.
Please share with those artists and graphic designers who may be interested in contributing to the 3rd printing of the New Smyrna Colony: An Eighteenth Century Odyssey book, published by Holy Cross Press.
The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.
It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.
All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.
Saints Procopius and Basil, fellow ascetics, lived about the middle of the eighth century, during the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741), from whom they suffered many things for the sake of the veneration of the holy icons. They ended their lives in the ascetical discipline.
Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.
Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46
The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."