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St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-04-01
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St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (251) 967-2020
  • Fax:
  • (251) 471-8015
  • Street Address:

  • 220 East 20th Avenue

  • Gulf Shores, AL 36542
  • Mailing Address:

  • P. O. Box 3668

  • Gulf Shores, AL 36547-3668


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Orthros Matins Sundays 9:00 A.M.

Divine Liturgy Sundays 10:00 A.M.

 

 


Past Bulletins


Rev. Fr. Sasa Turkic

 

CHRIST IS RISEN! Χριστός Ανέστη! Христосъ воскресе! Hristos a înviat!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest event in our human history, our
Divine-human eternity. It is the day which delivers us out of all the worldly days and nights of this life, and brings us into the day without evening, the eternal day of God's Kingdom. "Pascha is the Feast of all feasts and Celebration of all celebrations, which surpasses all other feasts and celebrations just as the sun surpasses the stars" (St. Gregory the Theologian).
In the light of the Resurrection we comprehend our entire life and rejoice in it. The day of the Resurrection is a day to rejoice in life and Life Eternal. We must witness to this world and to this time the joy which the Resurrection of Christ brings us, for this is a Joy which no one else can ever give us, and which cannot be taken away.
We know that Christ will penetrate the darkness with the light of His Resurrection. Christ is the Conqueror of darkness, He inspires us to strive for the true Light, so that our souls might blossom with a fragrant flower, the flower of the true beauty of holiness, the seed of which was planted in us from conception, in our mother’s womb.
May the the light of the Resurrection of Christ who gives us the power not to die (Jn 11:26) and abundant gratitude toward our God Who is worshipped in Trinity, be with you and with all of yours.
CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!
With love of Christ,
+Fr. Sasa
 
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 PLEASE DONATE HERE: www.goarch.org/donate/ukraine

https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-elpidophoros-announces-goarch-ukrainian-relief-fund-2022

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Office Hours:
Monday and Thursday from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
(If you need to meet with Fr. Sasa on other days, please call him at (251) 233-3128 and make appointment. 
Thank you! 
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Go to this link to watch Sunday Services:
 
 

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Meal Train for families at St. Athanasios
Providing meals is a wonderful opportunity to support our church family during times of need (births, illness, etc). If you would like to be added to the list of volunteers to provide meals to our St. Athanasios families during times of need, please see or email Lacey Childress  at Lchildress@gsboe.org and/or Jenny Openshaw at Jenny.openshaw1@gmail.com
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 If you have a child who will graduate high school in 2022, please call Steffie Joiner at (336) 414-3862

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St. John Chrysostom District Oratorical Festival in Gulf Shores

 Saturday, April 9th at 10 a.m. at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church

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21st Annual St. Athanasios Golf Classic

Saturday, May 14th, 2022

Glen Lakes Golf Club

9530 Clubhouse Dr, Foley, AL

Registration, Open Range &LightLunch-10:00 am

TeeTime -11:00 am

 Dinner, Awards&Prizes - 3:30pm

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL . . .

Angelo Adams 251.689.3036

Anna Catranis 251.454.2686

Mark Tampary 251.752.5000

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APRIL CHURCH SERVICES

 

 Sunday, April 3rd, 2022

Orthros 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Sunday of John Climacus

  

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

 Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m.

 

 Friday, April 8th, 2022

Salutations to the Theotokos 6:00 p.m.

  

 Sunday, April 10th, 2022 

Orthros 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Sunday of Mary of Egypt

 

 

THE HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 2022


Saturday, April 16th , 2022 

 Divine Liturgy 10:00

Lazarus Saturday

Preparation of Palm Crosses (after Liturgy)

 

Sunday, April 17th , 2022

 Orthros 9 a.m.

 Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.

 Palm Sunday

 

April 18th , 2022  HOLY AND GREAT MONDAY

 Bridegrom Service  6:00 p.m.

 

 April 19th , 2022 HOLY AND GREAT TUESDAY

Bridegrom Service & Hymn of Kassiane  6:00 p.m.

 

  April 20th , 2022 THE HOLY AND GREAT WEDNESDAY

 The Sacrament of the Holy Unction 6:00 p.m.

 

 April 21st , 2022  THE HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY

 MORNING:The Vespers, and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 10:00 a.m.

 EVENING: THE SERVICE OF THE HOLY PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST- The reading of the 12 Gospel Excerpts 6:00 p.m.

 

 April 22nd , 2022 HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY 

 Please come help decorate the Tomb of Christ at 9:00 a.m.

 The Apokathelosis (Removal from the Cross) & Lamentations ( Procession of the Epitaphios) 6:00 p.m.

 

 April  23rd , 2022 HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY 

 The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great 10:00 a.m.

 Children's Easter Egg Hunt after Liturgy

 The ORTHROS (Matins) of the RESURRECTION AND PASCHA 11:30 p.m. 

 THE HOLY RESURRECTION LITURGY (MIDNIGHT) 12:00 a.m.

 

 EASTER SUNDAY April 24th , 2022 THE HOLY PASCHA

 AGAPE SERVICE (Easter Sunday Vespers) 11:30 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Saints and Feasts

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April 10

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.


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April 23

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.

His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)

If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Readings

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. 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.

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.24,29.
This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Verse: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8.

In the first book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of lsrael?" He said to them, "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."


Gospel Readings

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."

The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

The Reading is from John 1:1-17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O John, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.

Kontakion of Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Fourth Tone

Truly the Lord has set you in the sky of abstinence, as a fixed star giving light to the ends of the world, O John, our teacher and Father.

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Mary, your soul rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion of Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Third Tone

Who once was filled with every carnal sin has become today, through repentance, the bride of Christ. She desired the company of angels. She trampled upon demons with the Cross as her weapon. This is why, O Glorious Mary, you became a Bride of the Kingdom.

Apolytikion of Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone

O Christ, Our God, we have been Buried with You through Baptism, and by Your Resurrection made worthy of Life immortal. Praising You, we cry out, "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

Kontakion of Palm Sunday in the Plagal of the Second Tone

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal of the First Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Kontakion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
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Special Events

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