Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00am V. Rev. Father Maximos Politis, Priest
Η άφεση των αμαρτιών
Πόσος λόγος γίνεται στην εποχή μας για τα οικονομικά χρέη. Αυτό ήταν ένα πρόβλημα στον άνθρωπο κάθε εποχής από την αρχαιότητα. Και η εικόνα του χρεωμένου ανθρώπου ήταν από τότε πολύ κοινή. Αυτή την εικόνα χρησιμοποιεί ο Κύριος για να μας παρουσιάσει αφενός μεν την συγχώρεση που δια της μετανοίας μας παρέχει ο Θεός αλλά και την συγχώρεση που καλούμαστε να προσφέρουμε στους συνανθρώπους μας.
Στην εποχή μας ο άνθρωπος συχνά αισθάνεται ότι συνθλίβεται κάτω από το βάρος των ενοχών και της λύπης για λάθη του παρελθόντος του. Και από την άλλη πλευρά η ελπίδα και η σφοδρή του επιθυμία είναι να διαγράψει όλα αυτά όπως κάποιος διαγράφει το χρέος του.
Πραγματικά, τι ανακούφιση νιώθει κάποιος που του έχουν χαρίσει το χρέος! Και αντίστοιχα, πόση αγαλλίαση νιώθουμε όταν αισθανθούμε ότι ο Θεός μας συγχωράει. «Ραντιείς με υσσώπω, και καθαρισθήσομαι· πλυνείς με, και υπέρ χιόνα λευκανθήσομαι.» Με αυτούς τους στίχους ο Δαβίδ εκφράζει το μέγεθος της συγχώρεσης που μας δίνει ο Θεός, αλλά και την χαρά για την άφεση.
Ο Κύριος ημών Ιησούς Χριστός «δια του τιμίου Αυτού Σταυρού το χειρόγραφον των αμαρτιών ημών διέρρηξεν.» Έσκισε και πέταξε το χειρόγραφο, στο οποίο ήταν γραμμένες οι αμαρτίες όλων μας. Και κάθε άνθρωπος που πιστεύει στον Χριστό όταν βαπτίζεται, απαλλάσσεται απ’ όλες τις αμαρτίες του. Ο άνθρωπος μετά το βάπτισμα δεν θα έπρεπε να αμαρτάνει επειδή δεν επιτρέπεται να βαπτιστεί πάλι. Είναι όμως αδύναμος και δυστυχώς έχει πτώσεις. Το λουτρό της μετανοίας και της εξομολόγησης καθαρίζει, ανανεώνει την ψυχή και την βάζει πάλι στην πορεία προς την σωτηρία.
Forgiveness of the sins
How much is being said in our time about financial debts. This has been a problem in man since time immemorial. And the image of the indebted man has been very common ever since. The Lord uses this image to show us, on the one hand, the forgiveness that God provides through repentance and the forgiveness we are called to offer to our fellow human beings.
In our time man often feels crushed under the weight of guilt and sorrow for the mistakes of his past. On the other hand, his hope and strong desire is to write off all this, as someone writes off his debt.
What a relief it's been for someone whose debt has been written off! And accordingly, how much joy we experience when we feel that God forgives us. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." With these verses David expresses the magnitude of the forgiveness that God gives us, but also the joy of forgiveness.
Our Lord Jesus Christ "through the Holy Cross broke the scripture of our sins." He tore up and threw away the manuscript, in which the sins of all of us were written. And every person who believes in Christ when he is baptized becomes free from all his sins. Man after baptism should not sin because he is not allowed to be baptized again. But he is weak and unfortunately he has falls. The bath of repentance and confession cleanses, renews the soul and puts him back on the path to salvation.
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Father Maximos Honored:
Our very own Fr. Maximos was honored last week by the Borough of the Bronx where he served for the last five years as the priest of St. Peter the Apostle church. Father Maximos traveled back to New York on Thursday to receive the award. Please join with us to congratulate Father Maximos for having received this very distinctive honor that was bestowed upon him by the President of The Bronx. Axios! Axios! Axios! (See flyer with citation text in ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION of bulletin.)
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Parish Council News:
The 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.
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. Prayers for Michael Colburn; 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.
Congrats to Nick & Toni Lekas on their new grandson, Nathaniel Andreas Lekas born to Andreas and Elizabeth Lekas on March 9. God grant him many years!
"Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"
Orthodoxy recognizes that beauty is an important dimension of human life. The divine gifts of the material world are fashioned by human hands into an expression of beauty which glorifies the Creator. As stewards - caretakers - of our church, we ensure that our building is cared for and ready for all our activities, both spiritual and social.
Presanctified Liturgy & Potluck on Wednesdays during Lent:
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a special liturgical service celebrated on Wednesdays during Lent. The word Presanctified refers to the consecrated gifts distributed to the faithful during the service. Join us Wednesdays at 6:00 PM, followed by potluck dinner. Bring your family and a dish to share.
Greek Festival:
The annual Greek Festival returns to Holy Trinity Church on October 7-9, 2022. Our popular festival will offer our delicious food, music, dance and on-site dining. Oct 7 will be a "Friday to go", for pre-orders only; Sat Oct 8, 11 am-8pm, and Sun Oct 9, the public is invited to participate in services with the festival continuing 12-4 pm.
Parish Easter Card:
The Parish Easter Card will be mailed to the community Bright Monday, April 25th. The sign-up sheet is available at the Church Hall Entrance. Please email pollyhillier@yahoo.com to include your name as you want it in the greeting card. Suggested offering is $20. Deadline for submission is April 17th.
Call for Lilies:
Please contact Faye Peterson at pete9839@comcast.net if you would like to contribute Easter Lilies to adorn our iconostasis and narthex. Anyone who wishes to provide lilies for Easter Sunday should have them in Church NLT Palm Sunday so that we can decorate the altar? Kali Anastasi—to a Blessed resurrection
Kandilia (Luminaries)LET US LIGHT THE PROCESSIONAL PATHWAY: Easter Luminaries will once again brighten the walkway from the parking lot to the Church on Holy and Great Friday evening, April 22nd and Holy and Great Saturday evening, April 23rd. Purchase Kandilia in memory of, in honor of, and/or for the health of your loved ones. Suggested donation is $10 per luminary. One individual or one family name per bag, please. Contact Kaliroi Parris at roi.parris@gmail.com. Please include the name of the person you wish to honor or the name of the person whose soul you with to commemorate.
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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.
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Check for Available Dates
What to bring?
How to sign up?
(Please note that whoever does coffee hour need to have someone take out the trash before they leave.)
Questions? Don’t want to sign up online? If anyone has question, please reach out and email: holy3goc.hostess@gmail.com
If no access to email, contact Stefanie Burke at 904 671-4566.
SERVICE/EVENT SCHEDULE (Sundays Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)
April
1 Salutations - 6pm
6 Presanctified - 6pm
8 Salutations & Akathist - 6pm
Holy Week Services 2022
Lazarus Saturday (April 16)
- Orthros, 9:00 am; Liturgy, 10:00 am
Palm Sunday (April 17) Pascha card deadline
- Orthros, 9:00 am; Liturgy, 10:00 am
- Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm
Holy Monday (April 18)
- Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm
Holy Tuesday (April 19)
- Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm
Holy Wednesday (April 20)
- Holy Unction Service, 6:00 pm
Holy Thursday (April 21)
- Liturgy for the Mystical Supper – Vesperal Liturgy, 9:00 am
- Orthros with Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels, 6:00 pm
Holy Friday (April 22)
- Royal Hours, 9:00 am
- Removal of Christ’s Body from the Cross – Vespers, 2:00 pm
- Epitaphios Service (The Lamentations) – Orthros, 6:00 pm
Holy Saturday (April 23)
- Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 am
- Midnight Office, 11:30 pm
Pascha Sunday (April 24)
- Paschal Candle and Holy Resurrection, 12:00 am
- Divine Liturgy at Midnight, ~12:20 am
- Agape Vespers, 12:00 pm
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:
Weekly Photo:
Πάντα εν σοφία εποίησας. Εν τούτω νίκα / In wisdom you have made them all. In this you win.
2022 Stewardship
Philanthropy – Fellowship – Faith in Action We invite you to join Philoptochos & help us achieve our mission!
On Recent Changes to Mask Mandates (March 2022)
March-April 2022 HTGOC Newsletter
Our very own Fr. Maximos was honored last week by the Borough of the Bronx where he served for the last five years as the priest of St. Peter the Apostle church. Father Maximos traveled back to New York on Thursday to receive the award. Please join with us to congratulate Father Maximos for having received this very distinctive honor that was bestowed upon him by the President of The Bronx
Holy Week Services SCHEDULE 2022
Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.
Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.
BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."