Συγχώρεση και Επιστήμη

 Η συγχώρεση είναι μια κεντρική έννοια στην Πίστη μας. Στην Παλαιά Διαθήκη, ο Ιωσήφ αν και αδικήθηκε τόσο πολύ από τα αδέλφια του, τα οποία πρώτα τον έριξαν στο πηγάδι και μετά τον πούλησαν ως σκλάβο, όταν βρέθηκε σε θέση ισχύος θα μπορούσε να ανταποδώσει την αδικία.  Αντί αυτού όμως τι τους λέει;  “μη φοβείσθε ! Εγώ είμαι άνθρωπος του Θεού αγαθός και αμνησίκακος. Σεις σκεφτήκατε και αποφασίσατε κακά εναντίον μου. Ο δε Θεός σκέφτηκε αγαθά για μένα, για να γίνει αυτό το οποίο και έγινε μέχρι τώρα, ώστε να διατραφούν δηλαδή χάρη σε εμένα πολλοί λαοί. Μη φοβείσθε ! Εγώ, όχι μόνον δεν θα σας εκδικηθώ, αλλά θα διαθρέψω και σας και τις οικογένειές σας”. Τους παρηγόρησε, τους ενθάρρυνε και ωμίλησε με αυτόν τον καλόν τρόπον στις καρδίιές τους.” Στην Κυριακή προσευχή Lord’s prayer λέμε: “Τον άρτον ημών τον επιούσιον δος ημίν σήμερον και άφες ημίν τα οφειλήματα ημών ως και ημείς αφίεμεν τοις οφειλέταις ημών”. “Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..” Ο Κύριος πάνω στον Σταυρό συγχωρεί τους Ιουδαίους. Αυτό κάνει ο Πρωτομάρτυρας Στέφανος και στη συνέχεια όλοι οι Άγιοι.

Σήμερα η επιστήμη τονίζει ότι το μεγαλύτερο καλό που κάποιος μπορεί να κάνει στον εαυτό του είναι να συγχωρέσει εκείνους που του έκαναν κακό και τον αδίκησαν.  Για κάποιους, η ιδέα του να συγχωρέσουν κάποιον άλλον για ένα λάθος του παρελθόντος ισοδυναμεί με το να του επιτρέψουν να «ξεφύγει». Ωστόσο, όταν κρατάμε μνησικακία για συμπεριφορές που συνέβησαν στο παρελθόν, στην πραγματικότητα βλάπτουμε μόνο τον εαυτό μας, όχι το άλλο άτομο. Οι έρευνες δείχνουν ότι το να κουβαλάμε αρνητικά συναισθήματα, όπως πικρία και επιθυμία για εκδίκηση, επηρεάζει αρνητικά τη σωματική μας υγεία.

Στ’ αλήθεια, έχουμε ανάγκη την επιστήμη να μας πει αυτό που η Εκκλησία διακηρύττει εδώ και περισσότερο από δύο χιλιάδες χρόνια; Όχι φυσικά. Έχουμε τον Κύριο, έχουμε την Αγία Γραφή, την Ιερά Παράδοση, την διδασκαλία και εμπειρία της Εκκλησίας. Είναι όλα αυτά που οι παλαιότερες γενιές γνώριζαν ή θεωρούσαν ό,τι πιο φυσικό. Ο άνθρωπος όμως είναι αδύναμος. Και όπως ξέρουμε, ο Απόστολος Θωμάς ζήτησε μιαν επιστημονική απόδειξη της Αναστάσεως του Κυρίου. “Εάν δεν δω με τα μάτια μου το σημάδι των καρφιών και δεν βάλω το χέρι μου στο σημάδι των καρφιών και δεν βάλω το χέρι μου στην πλευρά του, δεν θα πιστέψω ότι αυτός για τον οποίο μιλάτε είναι ο ζωντανός, αληθινός και αναστημένος Δάσκαλός μας.” Η επιστήμη λοιπόν ενθαρρύνει την συγχώρεση η οποία όμως για τον Πιστό είναι μίμηση του Χριστού και μονοπάτι σωτηρίας.

Forgiveness and Science

Forgiveness is a central concept in our Faith. In the Old Testament, although Joseph was wronged so much by his brothers, who first threw him into the well and then sold him as a slave, when he was in power he could reciprocate the injustice. But what does he tell them instead? “Do not be afraid! I am a man of God, good and not vindictive. You thought and decided badly against me. And God thought of goods for me, to make it happen what has been happened so far, so that many peoples may be nourished thanks to me. Do not be afraid! "Not only will I not take revenge on you, but I will feed you and your families." He comforted them, encouraged them and spoke in this good way to their hearts.” In the Lord's prayer we say: "Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." The Lord on the Cross forgives the Jews. This is what the First Martyr Stephen does and then all the Saints.

Science today emphasizes that the greatest good one can do to himself is to forgive those who have wronged and have done bad to him. For some, the idea of ​​forgiving someone for a past mistake is tantamount to allowing them to "escape." However, when we harbor resentment about behaviors that have occurred in the past, we are actually only hurting ourselves, not the other person. Research shows that carrying negative emotions, such as bitterness and a desire for revenge, negatively affects our physical health.

Do we really need science to tell us what the Church has been proclaiming for more than two thousand years? Of course not. We have the Lord, we have the Bible, the Holy Tradition, the teaching and experience of the Church. It's all that the older generations knew or considered to be the most natural. But man is weak. And as we know, the Apostle Thomas asked for a scientific proof of the Resurrection of the Lord. "If I do not see with my own eyes the mark of the nails and do not put my hand on the mark of the nails and do not put my hand on his side, I will not believe that the one you are talking about is our living, true and risen Master.” Science therefore encourages forgiveness, which for the Faithful Is an imitation of Christ and a path of salvation.

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 who will have surgery on Aug. 2nd; 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. 

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We enter our spiritual home not to be entertained, but to be a part of a community of believers. We receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. As we pray, worship and serve together, we become His Body. To be truly a member of the Church as Body of Christ requires our presence and our engagement with one another -- in worship, study and service to others. We grow spiritually as a family. We give sacrificially as we acknowledge that all we have comes from God.

"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

Update:  St. Francis House
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.
Future Meals: Not able to help right now? 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 School Supply Drive -- through Sunday, July 31st

School starts August 12th. Philoptochos is collecting school supplies and other donations for area Title One schools. The following are the specific requests of four area Title One schools:

• Osceola Elementary: 5 packs of socks in a variety of kids sizes, 5 packs of underwear in a variety of kids sizes, 10 pairs of shorts with elastic waist in a variety of kids sizes, and 10 manual alarm clocks.

• St. Johns Technical High School: 50 Trapper Keepers, 50 packs of subject dividers/tabs, 25 packs of mechanical pencils, 50 high school aged backpacks, and 50 composition notebooks.

• John A. Crookshank Elementary: 20 boxes of tissues, 10 packs of unscented baby wipes, 15 boxes of sandwich size Ziploc bags, 15 boxes of gallon sized Ziploc bags, 15 bottles of hand sanitizer, 10 backpacks, 15 boxes of crayons, 15 packs of glue sticks, 25 composition notebooks, 15 one-inch binders, 10 packs of highlighters, 20 packs of pencil cap erasers, and 20 packs of index cards.

• R.J. Murry Middle School: spiral subject notebooks, #2 pencils, Pencil pouches, cap erasers, Highlighters, 2.5 or 3 inch binders, rulers, dry erase markers, Crayola pencils, Crayola markers, glue sticks, index cards, colored copy paper, scotch tape, gallon or quart sized Ziploc Bags, copy paper, pocket folders with prongs, protractors, compasses, post it notes, Lysol wipes, boxes of tissues, blue pens, black pens, college ruled paper, construction paper, 5 subject dividers, and graph paper.

Irene Pergeorelis - President, Dormition of the Theotokos Philoptochos Chapter

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.

Sunday School:

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]

July

31        40-day memorial for Janice (Joanna) Xynidis; 6-month memorial for Berhane Cornelius (Godson of Matthew Kauttu)

August

1-14    Dormition Fast

3         Paraklesis - 6pm

5         Paraklesis - 6pm

6         Transfiguration of Our Lord

7         Blessing of the Backpacks

10       Paraklesis - 6pm

12       Paraklesis - 6pm

14       Philoptochos Dormition Luncheon (after liturgy) Orthros 9.m. & Divine Liturgy 10a.m.

15       Dormition of the Theotokos - Orthros 9.m. & Divine Liturgy 10a.m.

           Parish Council - 6:30pm

27       Great-martyr Phanourios commemorated

28       Offer a Phanouropita in honor of St. Phanourios

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.

• Celebrations:  Are you celebrating a special day? Birthday, Anniversary, Seasonal House Cleaning?   Whatever the event, please consider celebrating it with others and making it a fundraiser for our church. People have raised $6 billion USD on Facebook and Instagram for causes they care about. Create a fundraiser and Facebook will take care of the donation processing with no fees.  You can also place the PayPal giving link for the church in your on-line message for donations to be made directly to our account. This can be a fun way to share your happy day with your friends and community and an effective fundraiser for our church. Please reach out to Fr. Maximos or Nick Lekas for details.

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.

• Note:  Fr. Maximos will be in Greece August 17 to September 13.  Fr. Michael Byars will officiate at holy services on August 21, 28 and September 4. Fr. Martin Ritz will officiate on September 11.
  

Weekly Photo:   https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5654338574611073

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