Η υπακοή ως μίμηση του Χριστού

Τίς ήμαρτεν, ούτος, ή οι γονείς αυτού; Με αφορμή την ερώτηση των Μαθητών προς τον Κύριο ας θυμηθούμε το περιστατικό του Ιώβ.O Ιώβ ήταν άνθρωπος πολύ πλούσιος, ευσεβής, ενάρετος και δεν αδικούσε κανέναν. Απέφευγε το κακό. Είχε επτά γιους και τρεις κόρες. Όμως απανωτές συμφορές του προέκυψαν. Ληστές έκλεψαν τρεις φορές τα κοπάδια του, έσφαξαν τους δούλους του, φωτιά έκαψε τα υπόλοιπα πρόβατά του και τέλος το σπίτι του κατέρρευσε σκοτώνοντας τα παιδιά του…και τα δέκα!

Μετά από όλες αυτές τις συμφορές αρρώστησε κιόλας, κόλλησε κάτι σαν λέπρα. Παρόλα αυτά ποτέ δεν έπαψε να δοξάζει τον Θεό ούτε πριν, ούτε μετά. «Όλα τα καλά που μας έστελνε ο Θεός, τα δεχόμασταν με ευχαρίστηση και τα κακά δεν μπορούμε να υπομείνουμε; Ας είναι ευλογημένο το όνομα του Κυρίου από τώρα και πάντοτε. » Είναι αυτό που ψάλλουμε στο τέλος της κάθε Θείας Λειτουργίας. «Είη το όνομα Κυρίου ευλογημένον από του νυν και έως του αιώνος.» Στο Μοναστήρι ο Μοναχός εκδηλώνει την υπακοή στον Ηγούμενο, στους αδελφούς και σε ό,τι επιτρέψει ο Θεός με αυτά τα λόγια: «Ας είναι ευλογημένο» ή «Νάναι ευλογημένο». Η υπακοή είναι γνώρισμα του κάθε Πιστού. Με αυτήν ομοιάζουμε τον Χριστό ο οποίος διδάσκει ότι ήλθε να κάνει όχι το δικό Του θέλημα αλλά εκείνου που Τον έστειλε.

Obedience as imitation of Christ

Who sinned, this man or his parents? On the occasion of the Disciple's question to the Lord let us remember the incident of Job. Job was a very rich man, pious, virtuous and did not wrong anyone. He avoided evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. But many misfortunes befell him. Robbers stole his flocks three times, slaughtered his servants, set fire to his other sheep, and finally his house collapsed, killing all ten of his children!

After all these misfortunes he got sick, he got infected from something like leprosy. Yet he never ceased to glorify God either before or after: "We accepted with pleasure all the good that God sent us, and we cannot endure the bad ones? Blessed be the name of the Lord from now on." It is what we chant at the end of each Divine Liturgy. “Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages.” In the Monastery the Monk manifests obedience to the Abbot, to the brothers and to whatever God allows with these words: "Let it be blessed" or "May be blessed". Obedience is an attribute of every faithful. With obedience we are like Christ who teaches that He came to do not His own will but that of the one who sent Him.

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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"

Your offerings help make Holy Trinity a place of welcome for all people who are seeking to reconnect with Christ.  Most importantly, they are your expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to God, who provides for your every need even before you ask.

Regular stewardship offerings are the foundation of our spiritual home.  If you have not already done so, please fill out a 2022 Stewardship Pledge form, and then set up a plan for regular contributions.  You may also make a stewardship pledge or payment electronically at www.holytrinitygoc.com.  Thank you.

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

Greek Summer Night last call:

Last call to reserve your tickets for Greek Summer Night.  Space is limited!  Join us Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Parish Hall.  Come enjoy Greek food, dance and music by Dj Taki.  Tickets $35; $15 for children (12 & under); reserved seating available.  Please call Andy at 904-823-8882 or email ajlekos@att.net for tickets.  Proceeds benefit our Holy Trinity Church.

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 and Events Schedule

(Sundays Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)

May

         25-30   Bright Week

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

30      Memorial Day

June

2         Ascension

4         Greek Summer Night

11       Saturday of Souls - May the Lord grant eternal rest to their souls.  We are called to pray for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord on the Saturdays of Souls.  Please take time to prepare a list of deceased loved ones for whom you wish the priest to pray.

12       Pentecost

13       Day of the Holy Spirit (Nameday)

13       Greek Festival meeting 6:30 (via Zoom)

19       All Saints

          Father’s Day

25      Detsis/Debra Wedding

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 allows us 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.

• NOTE:  Per the Archdiocese office holiday closure schedule, the HTGOC administrative office will be closed for Memorial Day, May 30th.

Weekly Photo:

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

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5474453205932945