Το στάδιο των αρετών και η αυτογνωσία

Η περίοδος της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής χαρακτηρίζεται ως το στάδιο των αρετών. Είναι ένα στάδιο στο οποίο όλοι οι Πιστοί καλούμαστε να μπούμε και να αγωνιστούμε. Στον χώρο του αθλητισμού είναι απαραίτητο κάθε αθλητής να γνωρίζει την σωματική του υγεία. Μόνο έτσι θα ασκηθεί κατάλληλα και θα προοδεύσει. Κάπως έτσι συμβαίνει και στο Πνευματικό στάδιο. Ο Πιστός καλείται πρώτα να αναγνωρίσει τον εαυτό του και μετά να ασκηθεί στην απόκτηση των αρετών.
Ο καθένας από εμάς βλέπει και αποδέχεται τον εαυτό του χωρίς να φοβάται ή να ντρέπεται. Δεν χρειάζεται να αναζητήσει δικαιολογίες ούτε να κατηγορήσει και να ρίξει τις ευθύνες σε κανέναν. Και φυσικά δεν θα κατηγορήσει τον Θεό για όσα ελαττώματα βλέπει στον εαυτό του. Ο Αδάμ, μόλις αντιλήφθηκε την πτώση του, δεν δίστασε να κατηγορήσει τον Θεό λέγοντας ότι: “Η γυναίκα που εσύ μου έδωσες να είναι μαζί μου, εκείνη με παρέσυρε στην παρακοή”. Επομένως αναγνωρίζουμε τον εαυτό μας χωρίς να αναρωτιόμαστε: “Γιατί είμαι έτσι; Γιατί μου συμβαίνουν όλα αυτά;”  Βλέπουμε τα ελαττώματά μας, βλέπουμε όλη μας τη ζωή μέσα στην Πρόνοια του Θεού. Ο αγώνας εναντίον των ελαττωμάτων οδηγεί στην απόκτηση των αρετών. Επομένως, όλα αυτά είναι αγωνίσματα στα οποία αν αγωνιστούμε θα λάβουμε αυτό που ο Κύριος μας υπόσχεται, τη σωτηρία της ψυχής.

“...Ο ποιων ταύτα, τον αληθινόν κομίζεται στέφανον, παρά του Παμβασιλέως Χριστού, εν τη ημέρα της Κρίσεως.” (ΎμνοςτηςΚυριακήςτηςΤυρινής)

 The stage of virtues and the self-knowledge

The period of Great Lent is characterized as the stage of virtues. It is a stage in which all Faithful are called to enter and struggle. In the field of sports, it is necessary for every athlete to know his physical health. Only then will he exercise properly and progress. This is also the case in the Spiritual stage. The Faithful is first called to recognize himself and then to practice the acquisition of virtues.

Each of us sees and accepts ourselves without fear or shame. There is no need to look for excuses and blame anyone. And of course, we will not blame God for all the flaws we see in ourselves. Adam, as soon as he realized his fall, did not hesitate to accuse God, saying: "The woman you gave me to be with me, she led me into disobedience." So, we recognize ourselves without wondering, “Why am I like this? Why is all this happening to me?” We see our flaws we see our whole life in the Providence of God. The struggle against defects leads to the acquisition of virtues. Therefore, all these are exercises in which if we work, we will receive what the Lord promises us, the salvation of the soul.

“He who does this shall attain a true crown from Christ, the King of all, on Judgment Day.” (Hymn of Cheesefare Sunday)

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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 fell asleep in the Lord, prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos; 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 - We are so thankful for the parents who have resumed bringing their children to Sunday School.  We invite all families to join us on Sunday at the Divine Liturgy and to send your kids to Sunday School right after Holy Communion. Sunday School is in session! Presbytera Renee Ritsi at 904 377-2591.

Northeastern Florida Conference St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival:  Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, St. Augustine - Third Saturday of Great Lent – March 26, 2022      Apolytikion of 3rd Saturday of Lent - Second Tone    O Apostles, martyrs, prophets, hierarchs, righteous, and just ones, who have finished your course well and have kept the Faith: seeing ye have boldness with the Savior, beseech Him for us, since He is good, that our souls be saved, we pray.     Kontakion of 3rd Saturday of Lent - Plagal of the Fourth Tone    Give rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of Your servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no grieving, but life everlasting.

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?

• 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 Stefanie Burke <sburke0211@yahoo.com>  or 904 671-4566.

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

March

5          2nd Saturday of Souls - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy

6          Cheesefare Sunday; Mission 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

26        Northeastern Florida Conference St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

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

• Palm cross making

17        Palm Sunday - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy  

• Palm Sunday Luncheon
• Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm

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

• Orthros with Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels, 6:00 pm

22        Holy Friday

• Royal Hours, 9:00 am
• Holy Friday Sunday School Retreat, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Removal of Christ’s Body from the Cross – Vespers, 2:00 pm
• Epitaphios Service (The Lamentations) – Orthros, 6:00 pm

23        Holy Saturday

• Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 am
• Midnight Office, 11:30 pm

24        PASCHA

            Agape Picnic

• Paschal Candle and First Resurrectional Reading, 12:00 am
• Divine Liturgy at Midnight, ~12:20 am
• Agape Vespers, 12:00 pm

25-30  Bright Week

• 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:

• NOTE:  If you would like Faye Peterson or Angela Lekos to prepare the Koliva for a memorial, remember there is a fee, usually $100 for time, supplies, etc. for the preparation.

• 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.

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.214784738566511/5241880612523540