Οι μεταλλάξεις της αμαρτίας

Οι επιστήμονες λένε ότι όταν ένας ιός αντιμετωπιστεί με επιτυχία, τότε συνήθως μεταλλάσσεται. Αν και παραμένει ο ίδιος, αλλάζει κάποια χαρακτηριστικά του ώστε να συνεχίζει να προσβάλλει τον άνθρωπο. Αυτό συμβαίνει με τα μικρόβια στα νοσοκομεία και κατά τη διάρκεια των πανδημιών. Θα λέγαμε ότι ο διάβολος ενεργεί με έναν παρόμοιο τρόπο.

Την εποχή των διωγμών ο Χριστιανός ερχόταν σε μια κατά πρόσωπο συνάντηση με τον διάβολο ο οποίος με κάθε τρόπο, χρησιμοποιώντας διωγμούς και βασανιστήρια, προσπαθούσε να τον κάνει να αρνηθεί τον Χριστό. Σε αντίθετη περίπτωση ο Χριστιανός οδηγούνταν στον θάνατο. Οι διωγμοί σταμάτησαν, ο διάβολος όμως δεν σταμάτησε το καταστροφικό του έργο. Δεν πρόκειται ποτέ να το σταματήσει μέχρι την ημέρα της κρίσεως. Αφού λοιπόν δεν μπορεί να πετύχει τίποτα με διωγμούς, μεταλλάσσεται σε άλλες μορφές θα λέγαμε πιο μεταδοτικές και πιο επικίνδυνες.

Ο διάβολος προσπαθεί να πείσει τον άνθρωπο ότι δεν υπάρχει αμαρτία ή ότι όλα είναι φυσικά και επιτρεπτά. Ακόμα, ο Χριστός διδάσκει ότι έγινε άνθρωπος όχι για να κάνει το δικό Του θέλημα αλλά το θέλημα του ουράνιου Πατέρα. Ας μη ξεχνάμε ότι ο Χριστός έχει Θεϊκό, τέλειο και αλάνθαστο θέλημα. Παρόλα αυτά παραιτείται από το θέλημά Του. Ο διάβολος, επειδή είναι αντίχριστος οδηγεί τον άνθρωπο στη θεοποίηση του θελήματός του.

Ο άνθρωπος με πρόσχημα οποιαδήποτε καλή σκέψη, ιδέα ή πράξη δεν υποχωρεί από το θέλημά του και γίνεται υποχείριο του διαβόλου.

Η υπακοή και η ταπείνωση είναι το καλύτερο φάρμακο και μαζί εμβόλιο για τις επικίνδυνες μεταλλάξεις της αμαρτίας.

The mutations of the sin 

  Scientists say that when a virus is successfully treated, it usually mutates. Although it remains the same, it changes some of its characteristics so that it continues to infect humans. This is the case with viruses in hospitals and during pandemics. We would say that the devil acts in a similar way.

At the period of the persecutions, the Christian would come to a face-to-face meeting with the devil who in every way, using persecutions and tortures, tried to make him deny Christ. Otherwise the Christian would be led to death. The persecutions stopped, but the devil did not stop his destructive work. He will never stop it until the day of judgment. So since it can not achieve anything with persecutions, it mutates into other forms we would say are more contagious and more dangerous.

The devil tries to convince man that there is no sin or that everything is natural and permissible. Furthermore, Christ teaches that he became man not to do His own will but the will of the Heavenly Father. Let us not forget that Christ has a Divine, perfect and infallible will. Nevertheless, He renounces His will. The devil, because he is the antichrist, leads man to the deification of his will. Man under the pretext of any good thought, idea or action does not give up from his will and becomes subservient to the devil. Obedience and humility are both the best medicine and vaccine for the dangerous mutations of sin.

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. 

Thank you for your prayers …. We would like to thank you for your prayers, love, and support during Gary’s recent health issues.  We can’t put into words how much we appreciate all of you!   Our family and we have been given a tremendous blessing with Gods help, and the love and support of our family, friends, and all of our church community. God bless you all and thank you so much for everything!  Your brother and sister in Christ, Gary and Fotini Peterson

"Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"

Summer plans may take us away from our day-to-day activities - especially if we plan to travel. 

Remember, you don't have to be in church to be "in" church!  Holy Trinity offers online services, continues with worship and hospitality, and welcomes summer guests. 

Please remember how important your financial support is to the care of our parish and make arrangements to continue monthly stewardship donations during the summer months. 

Thank you. Toula

OUTREACH UPDATE:  ST. FRANCIS HOUSE 
1. JULY 11 DINNER 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.Please prepare for about 40 servings. 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, thanks. 
2. Toiletry Items, Towels and Rags Needed:
St. Francis residents need the following, toiletry items, towels and rags. You can drop them off at 70 Washington Street, or bring and drop off at the church marked for St. Francis House.
3.  Future Meals: Not able to help in July? 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.com/holytrinityoutreach   Blessings in Christ, Richard

Philoptochos - ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY AND BACKPACK DRIVE:

 It is that time of year again!

School in John's County starts August 10th.  Our Philoptochos chapter is having our annual school supply and backpack drive.  These donated items are given to title one schools in St. John's County.  Last year, our donations went to Webster and St. John's Technical schools.  Our goal is to distribute our donations to the designated schools the first week of August.  Please bring your donations to the church hall.  We will have bins available in which to put your items.  As always, we cannot do this without you so we thank you in advance.

Calling All Men and Boys (6 years and Older):

Have you noticed your head chanter, Nick Lekas, hustling between the chanters stand and the altar to help Father Maximos during a service? On occasion, it has been others in the congregation who saw the need and were moved to help. This happens because we lack altar help on a consistent basis.

• Large parishes and cathedrals have paid sextant positions or deacons to manage the help needed for the altar and a larger youth population to draw from, but that is not our situation.
• It is time we fixed this problem with our parish stewardship – that is to apply our individual time and talents to consistently being altar help during services. It is a blessing and an honor to actually be part of the liturgy in an intimate way by helping Father Maximos with the tasks necessary to prepare himself and the gifts for our collective communion – receiving the body and blood of Christ.
• The tasks themselves, cutting the “ANDITHERON” (bread), pouring wine and warm water into the flasks for the altar in preparation, censing, leading processions (one in Orthros and two in the liturgy) carrying the light and/or a censor are simple but vital to supporting our priest.
• I’m calling for volunteers to commit to being at church in time for Orthros on a set schedule. With enough volunteers, we can create a schedule that will not be a burden to anyone and will instead be a blessing to all of us. Once we have a list of volunteers (hopefully 8-10 at least), we will work with Father Maximos to schedule training day(s) as needed for the group, so that we can all learn how to do these tasks comfortably, consistently, and enthusiastically. To put this in perspective, with 10 volunteers, each volunteer will be committed to being trained and then “on-duty” about eight times during a normal year.

Greek Festival:

The annual Holy Trinity Greek Festival is October 7-9, 2022.  Our popular festival will begin with "Friday to go" with pre-orders only.  Saturday and Sunday will include music, dance and on-site dining. 

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]

August

1-14   Dormition Fast

3         Paraklesis - 6pm

5         Paraklesis - 6pm

6         Transfiguration of Our Lord

10       Paraklesis - 6pm

12       Paraklesis - 6pm

14       Philoptochos Dormition Luncheon (after liturgy)

15       Dormition of the Theotokos

           Parish Council - 6:30pm

29       Beheading of St. John the Baptist (strict fast)

• 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) the parish office 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.

Weekly Photo:   https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5595442967167301