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.

A Star-spangled Thank-you to Our Soldiers (adapted)

The thunderous booms, showering crackles of light, and the piercing whistle of fireworks are enjoyed by millions of Americans each year as we celebrate our independence on the 4th of July. These spectacular displays of light, color, and sound inspire us while bringing to remembrance the courageous men and women who fought to protect our country’s liberties and freedoms; many of them paying the ultimate price.

For the soldier the “rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air” aren’t necessarily cause for celebration as much as they are a call to duty. Plumes of smoke, and the earth rumbling beneath their feet brings a soldier to a state of readiness. Rapid gunfire, roadside bombs, and fellow soldiers falling at your side are grim realities for our brave servicemen and women. Sleepless nights, frightening memories, and post traumatic stress disorder, are ever surfacing reminders, while your enemies may no longer be physically present, their ghosts forever haunt the landscape of your life. Their lives will forever be affected, their perceptions, and perceptions of them, forever altered.

This Independence Day, as you “OOOO” and “AHHH” over the brilliant displays of light, color, and sound, pause to reflect upon the sacrifices of those who braved the “perilous fight” to make such displays of pride and patriotism possible. As God’s Word implores us all, “Give honor where honor is due.” Whether in the Airforce, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves; past, present, or fallen, on behalf of the entire Saint John Chrysostom Parish Family, we extend a heart-felt thank-you for all you have done and sacrificed to protect the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!”

May God bless our Troops and May God forever bless America!

SUMMERTIME ANGELS (Concept borrowed from St. Demetrios in Ft. Lauderdale)

THANK YOU TO DESPINA ZAFIROPOULOS, OUR SUMMERTIME ANGEL WHO DONATED $5000 TOWARD SOME OF OUR SUMMERTIME EXPENSES AS OUTLINED BELOW.

Many of the Florida parishes have numerous parishioners who summer away from our Florida churches, "snowbirds", which adversely affects our revenue during the summer. Therefore, we have adapted another parish's system of paying for some our our regular monthly expenses.

It's called Summertime Angels, people who are willing to donate towards the cost of the Water ($225), Elecetric ($450), Waste Management ($225) (trash) and Internet/phone ($250).

The amounts in parenthesis are the average monthly cost of these services. If some or any of you are able, in addition to your Stewardship Pledge, were able to subsidize one of these items for a month or two, throught September, we would be able to maintain our current services and actually survive thru the end of the year. I am sure you realize that the current pandemic has created a reduction in our income. We require $10.5-12,000 to meet our monthly expenses, including the mortgage and priest. Any extra help you can provide at this time will be greatly appreciated.

It is important, if your decided to help, to mark the item you are subsidizing int he left bottom of your check in the MEMO line.

I thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness and continued generosity.

***IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DO THAT YET, PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE YOU STWARDSHIP PLEDGE, THE SUNDAY TRAY OFFEREINGS AND CANDLE MONEY AND SEND THEM TO THE CHURCH.

Saints and Feasts

July 05

Athanasius of Mount Athos

Saint Athanasius had Trebizond for his homeland. He first entered the monastic life on the mountain called Kymaeos or Kyminas, which is in Mysia of Bithynia, then he went to Mount Athos and founded a large monastery, which is known as the Great Lavra. He became so renowned for his virtue that from Rome, Calabria, Georgia, and elsewhere, rulers, men of wealth and nobility, abbots, and even bishops came to him and were subject to him. When the time for his departure was at hand, God revealed to him how it would take place, so that he was able to instruct his spiritual children not to be troubled when it should come to pass. A new church was being built for the sake of the many who came to him, and only the dome had not been finished. Together with six of the brethren, the Saint went to the top of the church to help the workmen. The dome collapsed, and they fell. Five were killed at once, and the Saint died three hours later. His holy body remained incorrupt and he worked many miracles after his death. He reposed about the end of the tenth century.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Athanasius of Athos in the Third Mode

The Angels' ranks were awed by thy life in the flesh, how, though corporeal, and clad with earthly clay, thou didst set forth with courage to invisible wars and wrestlings and didst boldly smite the hordes of the demons with mortal wounds. Wherefore, Christ rewarded thee with abundant gifts in return. Entreat Him that our souls find salvation, O most renowned Father Athanasius.

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

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 149.5,1.
The saints shall rejoice in glory.
Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2.

Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Gospel Reading

4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13

At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Patience is a labor that does not crush the soul. It never wavers under interruptions, good or bad...Patience sets a boundary to the daily onslaught of suffering...Patience comes from hope and mourning, and indeed to lack those is to be a slave of despondency.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 27: On Stillness; Paulist Press pg.271, 6th century

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance, suppresses anger, restrains pride and envy, draws down the Holy Spirit into the soul and raises man to heaven.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

Unknown, 4th century

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.

Joel, William (Bill), Evangelos, Katherine (Dr. Mary's mother) 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 SERVICES 9– 11:15 AM

JULY SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Sun. July 5th, Sunday, Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM with a special rememberance for the

4th of July at the conclusion of the Liturgy.

Sun. July 12th, Sunday, Orthros I Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM

Sun. July 19th, Sunday, Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM

Tues.July 21st, Tuesday, Prophet Elias, Divine Liturgy, 10AM

Sun. July 26th, Sunday, Saint Paraskevi, Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM

Mon.July 27th, Monday, Saint Panteleimon, Divine Liturgy, 10AM

HOLY COMMUNION

We have been given some pastoral discretion from the Ecumenical Patriarchate regarding how we may administer Holy Communion.

As a result, I have decided to used separate metal spoons for each person wishing to receive Holy Communion.

I have already ordered them and they have arrived. So, we began using a separate spoon for each person to receive Holy Communion on Sunday, June 28th. We will then sanitize each of the spoons and use them again for the next liturgy.

So, except for those who have normally stayed in place and waited for me to come down to commune you, beginning next Sunday, July 5th, everyone will come up to the chalice, maintaining social distancing. I will still go down to those who find it difficult and awkward to leave their seats.

Any questions? Contact Father Andrew at 561-818-6215 or frdrew1947@gmail.com

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGED MEMBERS (As of Sunday, June 28th)

We should have 75 member families on our list, at least. We do not, as of the date listed above. So, if your name does not appear here, it means we have not received a Stewardship Pledge from you. Please check your records verify that your financial committment to Saint John's is up to date.

Alexandrou, Anna & Lazarus
Alpha Contracting
Bakas, Pericles & Panagiota (Toula)
Bourlas, Manuel
Chryssiadis, Katherine
Chryssiadis, Mary & Mark Teplitz
Coury, Katherine
Dakis,Voula
Dionisopoulos, Nick & Athanasia (Mimi)
Doukas, John & Mersini
Fitzer, Pamela (Tseklenis) & Peter
Hanan, Donna
Ioannides, Linda
Ioannides, Nina Marie
Karamatsoukas, Nicholas & Celeste
King, Stephanie
Kokenos, Nicholas & Frosso
Koltis, Denise & Sotiri Dushas
Kouklamanis, Nick & Anastasia
Koumas, Chrysanthe
Kuzemka, Nick & Carole
Kyriakos, Eva (Presvytera)
Laskaris, John & Joanna
Lefco, Evelyn & Michael
Lena, Joanne
Lichas, Mary
Loizos, Helen
Mahalares, Father Andrew
Malliaroudakis, George & Doria
Manos, George
Menexis, Michael and Doris
Mihaltse, William & Diana
Monsma, Joel & Constance
Moulis, Peter & Helene
Moulis, Stephanie
Nakos, Peter & Anastasia (Annie)
Neamonitis, Nicholas & Thomae
Nickas, Aristides (Steve) & Barbara
Papadopoulos, Demetrios & Vie
Pappaconstantinou, Cynthia
Pappas, Steve & Rose Marie (Posie)
Pantazopoulos, Anthony & Katherine
Parasco, Odessefs & Mary
Petrides, Pat (Kyriaki)
Reams, Bill & Jodie
Shenas, Steven & Kelly
Siggelakis, Nikitas and Leona
Siggelakis, TJ & Jennifer
Soffokitis, Costa
Soupios, Val & Barbara
Tambakis, John and JoAnn
Theodorakis, Marika
Tosi, Lawrence (Larry)
Tsefterides, Christos & Saadia
Tsouchlis, John & Smaragda (Maggie)
Tzellas, Chris
Wilshire, Maria & Alfr
Zafiropoulos, Despina (Debbie)
Zafiropoulos, John & Maria
Zaimes, George & Dena

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