«Ίδε υγιής γέγονας· μηκέτι αμάρτανε»

Το προπατορικό αμάρτημα, δηλαδή η ανυπακοή, έφερε στην ανθρωπότητα ως συνέπεια και όχι ως τιμωρία, φθορά, ασθένεια και θάνατο.

 Ο Θεός δεν λέει στους πρωτοπλάστους ότι «αν φάτε θα σας τιμωρήσω και θα σας σκοτώσω». Τους λέει: «Αν παρακούσετε την εντολή μου και φάτε, θα πεθάνετε» (γιατί με την ανυπακοή απομακρύνεστε από εμένα που είμαι η πηγή της ζωής).

Μπορούμε όμως να πούμε ότι αυτός ο άνθρωπος της παραβολής του Ευαγγελίου παρέλυσε λόγω κάποιας αμαρτίας; Ήταν μεγάλος αμαρτωλός; Πιθανώς όχι. Αυτό δεν φαίνεται πουθενά στην ανάγνωση. Αντιθέτως. Ο Ευαγγελιστής Ιωάννης αναφέρει ότι επί τριάντα οκτώ χρόνια ο ασθενής εκεί, στην Πύλη των Προβάτων, περίμενε με πίστη το θαύμα που γινόταν κατά το ανακάτεμα του νερού της κολυμβητικής δεξαμενής.

Ακόμα, ο Κύριος δεν θα έμπαινε στη διαδικασία να ορίσει μια κλίμακα ασθενειών όπου π.χ. το να είσαι παράλυτος με πόνους είναι χειρότερο από το να είσαι μόνο παράλυτος.

 Επομένως, τι χειρότερο μπορεί να συμβεί στον πρώην άρρωστο; Μπορεί να μείνει ξανά παράλυτος; Αυτό δεν είναι χειρότερο, είναι το ίδιο. Ο Κύριος σε αυτή την περίπτωση θα του έλεγε: «Μην αμαρτάνεις για να μην πάθεις το ίδιο». Ο Κύριος όμως, όπως κάθε Πνευματικός Πατέρας, του λέει με άλλα λόγια: «Μην αμαρτάνεις και θα λάβεις την αιώνια ζωή, ενώ αν αμαρτήσεις θα χάσεις την ψυχή σου, που είναι σίγουρα χειρότερη από την απλή παράλυση».

“See, you are well again. Stop sinning.”

The original sin, that is, disobedience, brought to humanity, as a consequence and not as punishment, decay, disease, and death.

God does not say to the first created people that "if you eat I will punish you and kill you". He says to them: "If you disobey my command and eat, you will die" (because by disobedience you turn away from me, who is the source of life).

But can we say that this man of the Gospel Parable was paralyzed because of some sin? Was he a great sinner? Probably not. This is not mentioned anywhere in the reading. On the contrary. The Evangelist John says that for thirty-eight years the patient there, at the Sheep Gate, waited in faith for the miracle that took place during the stirring of the water of the swimming pool.

The Lord would not enter the process of defining a scale of diseases where e.g. being paralyzed with pain is worse than just being paralyzed.

Furthermore, what worse can happen to the formerly ill person? Can he become paralyzed again? This is not worse, it's the same. The Lord in this case would say to him: "Do not sin so as not to suffer the same." But the Lord says to him in other words: "Do not sin and you will receive eternal life, while if you sin you will lose your soul, which is certainly worse than mere paralysis."                                                                                                                                       

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Parish Council News:

The HTGOC parish council will be undertaking some capital improvement projects in the coming months that include replacing two (2) A/C units in the church, clearing the retention pond, and office computer software/hardware updates.  Any financial support toward these projects is welcomed.  The parish council members 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 council meets on the 3^rd Monday of each month.

Special Prayer Requests:

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people….  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners -prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos.  Prayers for Gary Peterson; 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"

Stewardship is everywhere in this sacred season:  in our gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice, our awe at God’s incalculable blessings, and our commitment to a lifelong calling to service in the Spirit.

In the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent, and our material gifts as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus.

St. Francis House:
1. Bulk Lunch Meat and Cheese Needed:
A kitchen manager said they are in desperate need of lunch meat and cheeses, please help deliver to their location, especially with the critical lunches.
2. May 9th Dinner Volunteers Needed: Due to covid, St. Francis House is still doing drop-off meals, which we drop off, always at 70 Washington Street front door at 5 p.m. If you would like to help prepare a meal, they accept anything and are very grateful for all donations.
If you're able to help, please let Richard know at church, 904-347-9189 or dickbilleter@gmail.com. I can let the kitchen manager know.
3. April Meals: Thank You!
Thank you Jim Humphries for helping deliver ham and Noah and his dad, Richard, topped it off with mac-and-cheese.
4.  Future Meals: Not able to help in May? Please look to help us another day -- we help deliver dinners the 2nd Monday of every month. Online: Please visit us online at http://www.facebook/holytrinityoutreach.com

Philoptochos - Supporting Mothers In Need:  DIAPER COLLECTION DRIVE

To support mothers at Alpha Omega Miracle Home and St Gerard House, Philoptochos will be collecting diapers (4,5,6), pull-ups and wipes through May 22nd.  Thank you for your support!

Greek Summer Night June 4th:

Greek Summer Night is Saturday, June 4, 2022.  This event benefits our Holy Trinity Church.  It is a time to enjoy Greek food, music and dance.  Join us for the fun, fellowship and family.  Cocktails at 6; Dinner at 7; Dancing until ~11.

 Please plan to support this event:

• Purchase your tickets for Greek Summer Night
• Invite family & friends
• Post the event on your social media page (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Sponsorship opportunities available.

Greek Summer Night will include music by Dj Taki Entertainment.  Tickets, $35 per person, $15 per children 12 & under, and reserved seating available (for tables of 8).  Please see Andy or Angela Lekos for tickets.  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.holytrinitygoc.com.  For reservations, call Andy 904-823-8882 or email ajlekos@att.net.  Opa!

Greek Festival:

The annual Greek Festival is 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, 11am-8pm, and Sun Oct 9, 12-4 pm.

We need volunteers to host coffee hour.  You can do it solo or share the responsibility with someone else.  Please sign up at:  www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA5AB2AA0FFC34-sunday, email Stefanie Burke at holy3goc.hostess@gmail.com; call 904/671-4566; or speak to Stefanie after church and she can sign you up.  Thank you in advance for considering offering this hospitality to our parish family and guests.

[Using the SignUpGenius link:  click the blue box that says SIGN UP; then the brown box at the bottom of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP - this will take you to the next screen; and click on SIGN UP NOW]

Service/Event Schedule:

(Sundays Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)

May

14       Baptism, 3 pm

         25-30   Bright Week

29       Six-month memorial service for Mikae Gaetanos offered by his family.  May his memory be eternal.

June

2         Ascension

4         Greek Summer Night

11       Saturday of Souls

12       Pentecost

13       Day of the Holy Spirit (Nameday)

19       All Saints

          Father’s Day

25      Detsis/Debra Weddind

20      Parish Council

20-30 Apostles Fast

26       St. Photios Shrine Greek Landing Day

29       Apostles Peter & Paul

30       Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

• Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you to light a candle during divine services.  Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle.  If  you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos.

Giving by Check:  Please be sure to include a notation on the memo line to allowsus to identify your intentions (i.e. stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.).

Weekly Offering:  The Lord's day is to be the time for a weekly offering for the support of His cause.  Make your offering today and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care.  Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

Parish Office:

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.

• 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.

• Please turn in your May/June Newsletter articles NLT May 16th to Church Office.  Thank you.
  

Weekly Photo:

Πάντα εν σοφία εποίησας. In wisdom you have made them all. Pictures from St. Augustine.

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5432396363471963