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.

_____ ._____

Satan: “I will cause anxiety, fear and panic.

I will shutdown businesses, schools,

places of worship and sports events.

I will cause economic turmoil.”

Jesus: “I will bring together neighbors,

restore the family unit,

I will bring dinner back

to the kitchen table.

I will help people slow down their lives

and appreciate what really matters.

I will teach My children to rely on Me

and not the world.

I will teach My children to trust Me

and not their money and material resources.”

Written by C. S. Lewis in 1942

Following directives from the Ecumenical Partiarchate and the Archdiocese and our Metropolitan

HERE IN HOBE SOUND, AT ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM,

FATHER ANDREW 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 NOT HAVE THE VIRUS YET. AND YOU DON’T WANT IT,TO BE SURE. LIMIT YOUR CONTACT WITH OTHERS. PLEASE PRACTICE EVERYTHING THE CDC HAS RECOMMENDED. OUR CHURCH AUTHORITIES ARE RECOMMENDING WE FOLLOW THE ADVISE OF HEALTH LEADERS. AND MAY GOD PROTECT AND SAVE US!!!

i AM ALSO LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP A DAY IN APRIL WHEN WE CAN OPEN THE CHURCH AND MAKE A FEW HOURS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO COME BY, A FEW AT A TIME, LIGHT A CANDLE, SAY A PRAYER AND THEN LEAVE SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT HAVE THE SAME OPPORTINITY. WHEN WE DO THIS, WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN YOUR DISTANCE FROM OTHER PARISHIONERS (WORSHIPPERS), DO NOT KISS THE ICONS, SIMPLY BOW. WE WILL MAKE THE CANDLES AVAILABLE SO THAT YOU WILL ONLY HAVE TO TOUCH THE ONE YOU ARE LIGHTING.

+FATHER ANDREW MAHALARES

Saints and Feasts

April 05

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.

April 05

Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, and those with them

Of these Martyrs, Saint Claudius died when his arms and legs were severed; Saint Diodore was burned alive; Saints Victor, Victorinus, and Nicephorus were crushed to death by a large boulder; Saint Serapion was burned alive; Saint Pappias was cast into the sea. According to some accounts, they contested in Corinth under Decius in 251; according to others, in Diospolis in Egypt under Numerian in 284.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Mary, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

St. John Chrysostom, Patron Saint of the Church - Apolytikion.
The grace that from your mouth shone forth like a torch illumined the universe. It deposited in the world the treasures of the absence of avarice. It showed us the height that is attained by humility. Now you instruct us by your words, Father John Chrysostom. Intercede with Christ God, the Word Himself, entreating Him to save our souls.

Ἡ τοῦ στόματός σου καθάπερ πυρσὸς ἐκλάμψασα χάρις, τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐφώτισεν, ἀφιλαργυρίας τῶ κόσμω θησαυροὺς ἐναπέθετο, τὸ ὕψος ἡμῖν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης ὑπέδειξεν. Ἀλλὰ σοὶς λόγοις παιδεύων, Πάτερ, Ἰωάννη Χρυσόστομε, πρέσβευετῶ Λόγῳ Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

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.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
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."

Wisdom of the Fathers

For with this object He reveals their deficiencies, that after these things thou mightest know what manner of men they became by grace. ... No one shall sit on His right hand nor on His left.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

Before He humbled Himself, only the angels knew him. After He humbled Himself, all human nature knew Him. You see how His humbling of Himself did not make Him have less but produced countless benefits, countless deeds of virtue, and made His glory shine forth with greater brightness? God wants for nothing and has need of nothing. Yet, when He humbled Himself, He produced such great good, increased His household, and extended His kingdom. Why, then, are you afraid that you will become less if you humble yourself?

St. John Chrysostom

On the Incomprehensible Nature of God. 8.46-47. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: Mark. Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 143.

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

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.***

APRIL

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.

If you woud like Father Andrew to light a candle or candles for you, please let me know by email, phone call or text. I will be more than happy to do that for you. You can then simply make out a check for the amount you wish, and then mail it to the church.

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.”

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.

IF YOU NEED US TO SEND YOU A FORM, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

NOW, GIVEN THE CURRENT CRISIS, YOUR TIMELY STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE AND PAYMENT IS CGRACIOUISLY ACCEPTED. JUST MAIL IT TO THE CHURCH. WE ARE TRYING TO SET UP A PAYMENT BUTTON ON OUR WEBSITE AND TILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THAT IS COMPLETED AND FUNCTIONING.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FATHER ANDREW AT 561-818-6215 OR

AT FRDREW1947@GMAIL.COM

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