Welcome to our Parish

Welcome to St. John Chrysostome Greek Orthodox Church

We are a thriving community of 65 families, working to share the Orthodox Faith with the South Florida area. We try to balance our lives with both corporate and personal prayer, philanthropic works to our greater community and common meals together. Our goal is the progression towards the kingdom of God in this life, in loving our fellow man and seeing Christ in the person sitting next to us.

We are pleased that you have joined us today for worship. To receive Communion in the Orthodox Church, one must be Baptized and/or Chrismated in the Orthodox Faith. The Orthodox Church understands Holy Communion as the sign of unity. If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Faith, please contact Father Andrew. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or not, please come forward at the dismissal to receive the blessed bread which is offered to everyone as you leave. May Christ's blessings be with all of you.

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The following is a directive from the Ecumenical Partiarchate

CORONAVIRUS

As this Coronavirus crisis continues to spread and intensify on a global

scale, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is monitoring the situation with an

urgent sense of responsibility towards the faithful and all people

without exception, and, following the Communique of 11 March 2020,

upon deliberation of its Hierarchs in the City announces the following:

1) The Ecumenical Patriarchate emphatically reiterates its appeal to

everyone to limit their outings and travels to what is necessary,

remaining in their homes for their own safety and the protection

of the general public.

2) It commends the spirit of self-sacrifice demonstrated by those working

in the field of healthcare and expresses its gratitude for their extraordinary

and exhaustive efforts toassist those in need, as well as for the danger

they knowingly risk by coming in contact with those infected by Covid-19.

3) It underlines the need for everyone to follow the decisions and

instructions of theresponsible health authorities for the sake of

the common good.

4) In light of the decisions already taken by some of the eparchies of the

Ecumenical Throne, today we universally declare our ecclesiastical

resolution and mandate that, until the end of March, we cease all divine

services, events, and rites, with the exception of private prayer in church

that will remain open. This restriction will be later reassessed, in

accordance with the development of the pandemic caused by the virus.

5) All Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monasteries will continue to hold

regular divine services for their monastic communities, but outside

pilgrims and visitors will not be permitted entry.

HERE IN HOBE SOUND, AT ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, THE PRIEST

WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE SERVICES BUT NOT IN THE

PRESENCE OF ANY PARISHIONERS. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED

TO STAY HOME AND LIMIT YOUR MOVEMENTS AND CONTACT

WITH OTHER PEOPLE. IT IS COMMENDABLE THAT “YOU ARE NOT

AFRAID”. OTHER PEOPLE, HOWEVER, MAY BE. YOU MIGHT

UNKOWINGLY BE A CARRIER NOW, OF THE VIRUS. BE

RESPONSIBLE AND CARING. YOU MIGHT NOTHAVE THE VIRUS

YET. AND YOU DON’T WANT IT,TO BE SURE. SO LIMIT YOUR

CONTACT WITH OTHERS, PLEASE. PRACTICE EVERYTHING THE

CDC HAS RECOMMENDED. OUR CHURCH AUTHORITIED

ARE RECOMMENDING WE FOLLOW THE ADVISE OF HEALTH

LEADERS. AND MAY GOD PROTECT AND SAVE US!!!

+FATHER ANDREW MAHALARES

Saints and Feasts

March 22

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."

St. Innocent of Alaska

The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

When, on this day, we look at the precious Cross of Christ, in faith let us adore it, let us rejoice, and embrace it ardently, beseeching our Lord, who of His own choice gave Himself to be crucified on it, to make us worthy of adoring His most precious Cross so that, free from all defilement, we may attain the day of Resurrection.

Orthros for the Adoration of the Holy Cross

St John's Prayer Circle

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in our Community and their families, and all those who are in need of our prayers.

Harry, Mirsini, Peter, Helen, Eleni, Becky, Mary D’Jay, Presbytera Helen, Fr. Constantine, Fr. Demetri Tsigas (Melbourne Priest), SAVAS, Kosta, Demetrios, Mary, Evangelia, Kyriakos (Charley), Danny, Peter, Kay, Linda, Chris, Diana, Tom and Family, Nick K, Maggie, Helen, Gena Mildner, Joanna, Constantina, Mimi, Virginia, Apostolos, Sophie, Joshua, Despina, Thomas, Jan, Aristides, Lucas, Baby Paul, Leona, Mary, Toula, Eleni, Phylitsa, George Edward, Efrosini, George, Stella, Phyllis, Irene, Georgia, Marcia, Sheila and Maureen, Laura, Sophia.

Liturgical Services

ALL SUNDAY SERVICE 9– 11:15 AM

MARCH & APRIL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIIES

***The Services listed below are now private, NOT public until further notice. Just the priest and chanters. You might want to consider them cancelled for yourselves.***

20^thFriday, Salutations to the Virgin Mary (Heretismi), 6:00pm

22^ndSunday, Sunday of the Holy Cross,

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9-11:15am

25^thWed, ANNUNCIATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY,

Orthros & Div. Lit. 9-11:30am

27^thFriday, Salutations to the Virgin Mary (Heretismi), 6:00pm

29^thSunday, Sunday of St. John Climacus,

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9-11:15am

APRIL

1st Wed., Presanctified Liturgy, 10:00am

3rd Fri., Akathist Hymn (Akathistos Hymnos), 6:00pm

5th Sun., Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt,

Orthros & Div. Liturgy, 9-11:15am

11th Sat., Saturday of Lazarus, Orthros & Div. Liturgy, 9-11:30am

Philoptochos Meeting (brief) and tying of Palms following services.

Donations for flowers for the Fridays in Great Lent,

along with Holy Week and the Epitaphio.

Please make out a check to St. John's and write in the notation

at the botton of the check, FOR FLOWERS.

A NEW KOUVOUKLION

Through a generous donation, we were able to order the new

Kouvouklion, which should be delivered in time

for the upcoming Holy Week.

Stewardship

Stewardship is our response to God’s grace and moves us from grace to gratitude. Just as we love because God first loved us (John 4:14), we give because God first gave to us. The question of the Psalmist “What shall I give to the Lord in return for all His benefits towards me?” (Ps 116:2), is answered in every liturgy when the celebrant calls us to “offer ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.”

As Orthodox Christians, we see the world as God’s gift, as a sacrament of God’s presence and a means of communion with Him. And so we are able to offer the world back to God in thanksgiving as we say in every Divine Liturgy “Thine own of Thine own we offer to thee…”

In II Corinthians 9:7 we read “Each person should give what he/she has decided in his/her heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Consider your weekly expenditures on entertainment, coffee, etc. Keep in mind that the expenses of the Church increase every year. In order to grow our ministries and meet our expenses, stewardship contributions must also increase each year.

If you haven't finished paying your 2019 Pledge yet, please to do so as soon as possible so we may close the books on 2019. If you have already fulfilled your 2019 stewardship pledge, we thank you very much. We would like to encourge all of you to now make your pledge for 2020 by completing your pledge form and begining the fulfillment of the pledge you make (i.e. paying it all at one time or quarterly, monthly or weekly thoughout the coming the year). We thank you in advance for your cooperation and generosity.

You must have completed a Stewardship form and submitted it to be considered a Steward of Saint John's.

WE HAVE COMPLETED STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE FORMS FROM THE FOLLOWING PARISHIONERS:

Alexandrou, Anna & Lazarus,

Bakas, Pericles & Toula, Coury, Katherine,

Dionisopoulis, Nick & Athanasia (Mimi),

Laskaris, John & Joanna, Lefco, Evelyn & Michael,

Lena, Joanne, Loizos, Helen, King, Stephanie,

Koltis, Denise & Sotiri, Koumas, Chrysanthe,

Kuzemka, Nick & Carole, Mahalares, Father Andrew,

Manos, George, Malliaroudakis, George,

Mihaltse, William & Diana, Monsma, Joel & Connie,

Moulis, Peter & Helene, Nakos, Peter & Anastasia,

Neamonitis, Nicholas & Thomae,

Nickas, Aristides (Steve) & Barbara,

Papadopoulos, Demetrios (Jim) & Vie,

Pappaconstantinou, Cynthia,

Pantazopoulos, Anthony & Katherine, Petrides, Pat,

Reams, Bill and Jodie, Tambakis, John & JoAnn,

Theodorakis, Marika, Tzellas, Chris, Wilshire, Maria,

Zafieopoulos, Despina (Debbie).

IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR NAME HERE, IT MEANS WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A STEWARDSHIOP PLEDGE FORM FROM YOU!!!

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins