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 and continued generosity.

***The Orthodox Church celebrates the Ecclesiastical New Year on September 1st. A tradition for the civil New Year is to make New Year’s resolutions. In January we make physical resolutions, and in September, spiritual resolutions. What are those spiritual resolutions we can make: to bring ourselves closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Is Christ within us? Do we ask ourselves what would Christ do when we are confronted with situations? A good resolution, is to consider the thought we want to convey

before we speak. Being physically unable to close our mouth is rare, but how often do we fail keep our lips sealed, to refrain from a harsh or cruel word? With God’s help, even a little thought before we speak can prevent a great deal of heartache and regret.
When we receive Holy Communion, our lips are sealed with the Body and Blood of Christ.
His precious Body and Blood enter us through the mouth. What then should come from our mouth?

Words that glorify God, not careless words that kindle strife and wreak a life. Words that are gracious, that smooth the way, that lessen stress, that heal and bless.

Jesus said, “I tell you on the day of Judgement men will render an account for every carelessword they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)

Let me share an interesting article with you from the Wall Street Journal:

“It topples governments; wrecks marriages; ruins careers; busts reputations; causes heartaches,nightmares,

and indigestion; spawns suspicion; generates grief; dispatches innocent people to crying in their pillows.

Even its name hisses.

It’s called GOSSIP!

It creates headlines and causes heartaches.

Before you repeat a story,
Ask yourself; is it true?
Is it fair? Is it necessary?
If not, then keep it to yourself!” (the original had “if not, then shut up”)

Again Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” What fills our
hearts will flow out from our lips. If Christ is filling our lives, we cannot keep it in. It will come out; itwill control what we say. I pray that what was said of Jesus may be said of us, “They wondered atthe gracious words He spoke.” Let’s start hearing some of those gracious words that are so muchneeded to bring healing and peace.
As we begin the new Ecclesiastical Year on September 1st, I pray that you make and fulfill aspiritual resolution to be Christ-like. May the opening of our mouths be to praise god and help lift our brothers and sisters in prayer and glory to Him.

Saints and Feasts

September 06

13th Sunday of Matthew

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Miracle of Michael in Colossae in the Fourth Mode

O Chief Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy ones entreat you in earnest, that you might with your supplications fortify us, guarding us who run to you and beneath the protection of the pinions of your unmaterial glory, and who with fervor shout: Deliver us, from every danger, as Captains of the hosts on high.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

Epistle Reading

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 First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24.

Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 21:33-42

The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

Many things does He intimate by this parable, God's providence, which had been exercised towards them from the first; their murderous disposition from the beginning; that nothing had been omitted of whatever pertained to a heedful care of them;...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

And observe also both His great care, and the excessive idleness of these men for what pertained to the husbandmen, He Himself did ... and He left little for them to do; to take care of what was there, and to preserve what was given to them.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 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, 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)

SEPTEMBER SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Sept. 6th, Sun., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM

Sept. 8th, Tues., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM for the Nativity of the Theotokos

Sept, 13th, Sun., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11:30AM, 10 Memorial for Dionysios Laskaris, John's brother.

After the memorial, we will have the procession with the cross for the Elevation of the Holy Cross. This is usually done on the 14th, but I chose to do it on Sunday, when more people are available to participate.

Sept. 20th, Sun., Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9-11AM

Sept. 27th, Sun., Orthros and Divine LIturgy, 9-11AM

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.

SCARCITY is not a problem of economics, it is the outcome of a spiritual affliction. Fear constricts the heart and leads to greed. Selfishness poisons the soul and produces misers.

But with Christ we are promised "life most abundant" (John 10:10). The breath of the Spirit unfetters the heart and awakens it to God's bounty. The only appropriate response to so great a gift is absolute generosity.

Fr. John Meyendorff: The Ethics of Resurrection

Is it not true that our mortality serves to justify our concern for ourselves, instead of our neighbors? My neighbor can be cold and hungry next door, but I feel quite justified in preserving my own standard of living and the security of my own future, because I consider my money as having been earned by me (or given to me) with no other purpose than to prolong my own life and to make it as comfortable as I can.

Moreover, even the laws of this mortal world of ours are made in such a way that their main purpose is to preserve my rights and my property. They justify violence as a form of self-defense. And the history of human society is one of conflicts and wars in which individuals and nations struggle and kill others in the name of temporal benefits which will be destroyed by death anyway. But this is still considered as "justice."

Such is, indeed, the inevitable logic of a world, which St. Paul describes as "the reign of death.”

On Easter Day (Pascha) however, we celebrate the end of this reign. Christ came to destroy it. "Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is your sting?" "Christ is Risen, and no one remains in a tomb" Therefore, as the Church sings, "let us embrace," "let us forgive."

This victory which our Church celebrates so brilliantly, so loudly, so triumphantly, is not simply a guarantee of "after life." Rather, it changes the entire set of our ethical priorities, even now. There is no need for self-preservation anymore because "our life is hidden with Christ in God.” To love one's neighbors and to give them the "last penny" is better insurance than to "store treasures upon earth." "To lose one's soul" is "to save it."

Parishioner Appreciation Luncheon

Parishioners Appreciation Luncheon

Luncheon Flyer

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