Welcome to our Parish

Welcome to St. John Chrysostome Greek Orthodox Church

We are a thriving community of 70 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.

IF YOU WISH TO HELP SAINT JOHN'S, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO AS YOUR HEART DICTATES AFTER PERSONAL PRAYER AND REFLECTION, ACCORDING TO THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD HAS BESTOWED UPON YOU. You may do so in person at a worship service, on line through out website, or by mailing your contribution to the church.

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.

The Parish Leadership (Parish Council and Priest) thanks you in advance for your love, thoughtfulness andcontinued generosity.

DORMITION (KOIMISIS) VERSUS ASSUMPTION OF THE THEOTOKOS, VIRGIN MARY

The Feast of the Theotokos is celebrated on the 15th of August and in the Eastern Orthodox Church is referred to as Dormition or Koimisis (Falling Asleep) of the Virgin Mary. In the Western Tradition, Roman Catholicism, is is usually referred to as the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is taught that Mary died a natural death, like any human being; that her soul was received by Christ upon death; and that her body was resurrected on the third day after her repose, at which time she was taken up, bodily only, into heaven.

The New Testament provides no information on the circumstances of Mary's death. This silence leads one to susppose that it happened naturally, with no detail particularly worthy of mention.

It appears that our respect and reverence for the VIrgin Mary are the direct result of her role as the Mother of our Lord, Jesus CHrist, who is God. All subsequent information is pious belief in the stories that have been passed down to us, without any written account provided by anyone either through scripture or evidenced in the Fathers of the Church. Pious belief seems to have been sufficient sown to today.

Traditionally, those with the following names celebrate their Nameday on the 15th of August. Mary, Marigo,

Marion, Maria, Marika, Panayiota (Toula), Panagio, Panayioti, Peter, Panagoula. We wish anyone and everyone with those names or having family with those names a Happy Nameday, Chronia Polla!

Saints and Feasts

August 16

10th Sunday of Matthew

August 16

Gerasimus of Cephalonia

Saint Gerasimus was from the Peloponnesus, the son of Demetrius and Kale, of the family of Notaras. He was reared in piety by them and studied the Sacred writings. He left his country and went throughout various lands, and finally came to Cephalonia, where he restored a certain old church and built a convent around it, where it stands to this day at the place called Omala. He finished the course of his life there in asceticism in the year 1570. His sacred relics, which remain incorrupt, are kept there for the sanctification of the faithful.

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 Holy Napkin in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will wast Thou well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Mode

In giving birth you retained your virginity, and in dormition you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated unto life, being the Mother of Life. And thus by virtue of your intercessions you deliver our souls from death.

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

Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

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 First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23

At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Yet if his unbelief was the cause ... why does He blame the disciples? Signifying, that even without persons to bring the sick in faith, they might in many instances work a cure.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century

For as the faith of the person presenting oftentimes availed for receiving the cure, even from inferior ministers; so the power of the doers oftentimes sufficed, even without belief in those who came to work the miracle.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 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, Harry, Mirsini, Peter, Helen, Eleni, Becky, Melissa Gray, (family friend of Fr. Andrew), 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

(Unless otherwise noted)

AUGUST SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Aug. 9th, Sunday, Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9-11:15AM *Memorial Prayers for Dionysios, Andreas & Melissa

Aug. 10th, Monday, Paraklisis, 6PM

Aug. 13th, Thurs. Parish Council Meeting, 4PM

Aug. 14th, Friday, Great Vespers for the Falling Asleep of the VIrgin Mary, 6PM

Aug. 15th, Sat., Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary, 9-11:30AM

40 day Memorial for Katherine Chryssiadis, Dr. Mary's mom.

Aug. 16th, Sun., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM

Aug. 23rd, Sun., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM

Aug. 30th, Sun., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM, 10 Memorial for Nicholas Koumas,

HOLY COMMUNION

We will continue to administer Holy Communion as we had been doing, with a single spoon. You will come up to the Chalice, keeping your 6 feet distancing ( there will be tape on the floor to assist you. You should not touch the spoon or the cloth. You will tilt your head back and Father Andrew will tip the spoon to empty the Body and Blood of Christ from the spoon into your mouth.

Those who are unable to come up to the Chalice, should remain in their seats and I will come down to you, as has been our custom.

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

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGED MEMBERS (As of Sunday, August 8th)

We should have at least 75 pledged member families on our list. We do not, but we are almost there 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. This list is current as of August 13th. If your name does not appear here, it is because we didin't receive a pledge for 2020 from you or we have made a mistake. In either case, you should contact Father Andrew to have your name added to the list of active Stewards for Saint John Chrysostom Church.

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
Kokenos, Pericles
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

Palaskas, Konstantinos & Diana

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

Vovou, Angie
Wilshire, Maria & Alfr
Zafiropoulos, Despina (Debbie)
Zafiropoulos, John & Maria
Zaimes, George & Dena

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins