We are currently streamlining the Church administrative work to allow for parish volunteers to help. This will allow Fr. to give greater focus and attention to Parish development, growth and Outreach. An example: At St. John we have four buildings on three contiguous properties that require regular attention and management. Paying/recording 12-15 monthly bills associated with our properties requires regular office hours. We also have approximately 12 websites/URLs associated with the ministry of the church that require attention. Anyone owning a home or property will easily understand the necessity of timely management. Our church is no different. Larger churches have a paid staff/office administrator. Ours does not. Yes, the purpose and focus is the same… To be a faithful witness and presence in this world of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. To this end the Church, and each Parish is like a sacred vessel that asks everyone to lend a hand. Or, as another priest has said, “On the voyage to Heaven, ...everyone rows, no one is tourist! If you’re not going forward- you’re going backwards!"

Many people are drawn to a smaller Parish where they might not feel as ‘lost’ as in a larger Church. However, in a smaller Church it really is not possible for the priest to give adequate attention and care for the members of the Parish without help from the members of the Parish. Now, not everyone is able to offer help in the same way. Some, with young families and children may not be able to offer their time as others might. Others may not have the financial means to make an offering as others have. However, everyone can offer something of genuine value and support. Essentially, it begins with you, yourself. The Lord sees your heart of course, but He also wants to see you in His House! The Lord is watching. He watches in the Services. He watches you in your ‘spare’ time. He watches how you use what he has given you… Precious time and golden opportunities. And the Lord is watching to see our presence in various other ways. This usually means a reasonable and balanced combination of our time, our talents, and, our ‘treasury’, or financial support. All of these are necessary to continue to build, and to remain a faithful wittness of God’s presence in our world, in our city, and in our neighborhoods. When the Lord returns… Will he find Faith? Your presence, your offering, your love is a direct expression of your faith. At the end of our life, let us not hear the words, ‘I loved God, but... I was absent!’ But rather, as we hear in every prayer of the Church, “…Let us commend ourselves and each other, and our whole life to Christ our God!’

With much love in Christ, and fervor for you,

Fr. Parthenios and Presvytera Mariamne

In our prayers, remembering:

Dimitri and Melissa G.

Edith (Veronica) W.

Jamie B.

Ben B.

Matthieu B.

The Brotherhood of The Hermitage Of The Holy Cross

Come and See!

Remember, the Livestream of Services on Facebook can serve a valid purpose for those who are genuinely not able to come, however, Facebook, is NOT a substitute for a 'Face to face' encounter with Christ in the Divine Services!

In consideration of the sanctity of the Divine Liturgy and the privacy of those attending, we will now be Livestreaming the service with the camera positioned to only view a portion of the Iconostasis.

In order to ensure the offering of Services and Sacraments at St. John, it is critical to have financial support from parishioners and visitors.

We ask that Parishioners (Members and Catechumens) make a commitment of financial support to the Church so that we may be in the position to cover our expenses and thereby keep our doors open to all who wish to come and worship. The submission of your commitment allows us to ascertain where we stand in meeting these needs.

You may submit your commitment via email with an intended weekly/monthly Pledge amount to: stjohnnashville@gmail.com.  There are also paper forms available in the Church Narthex.

Sending Financial Contributions? Please mail to:

 

St. John Chrysostom Greek Orthodox Church

P.O. Box 90162

Nashville, TN 37209

 

As a general rule, we do not encourage the use of Venmo or Paypal as it complicates the bookkeeping system and incurs additional fees born by St. Johns.    For better bookeeping purposes and financial management, checks or cash are the preferred method of giving financial support to the church.

Thank you!

St. John Bookstore

Purchasing Orthodox books, Icons, etc? Please consider doing so through the Church Bookstore. In so doing, you help to support your Church.

I am so pleased to be worshipping with you this evening, especially during these Holy Days of Δεκαπενταύγουστος. This sanctified season in the liturgical life of the Church affords us a pause from the mere recreation of Summer. I

We have now we arrived at our little Lent that precedes our Little Pascha for the All-Holy Virgin Mother of God. Throughout these days of the Holy Fast for her Dormition, we chant with fervor and love the Canon we know as the Paraklesis.

This week’s “How-to” Green Your Parish episode features Rev. Simon Peter and Presbytera Christina Nellist “Caring for Animals”. The “How-to” Green Your Parish series is an initiative of the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has consistently and unequivocally recognized the full humanity of every person beginning at the moment of conception. This position is informed by Scripture and Holy Tradition and is validated by modern science, which confirms that a new, distinct human organism comes into existence at conception.

After more than a year of uncertainty, many of our Orthodox Christian college students will be returning to campus this fall. Orthodox Christian Fellowship will be there to greet them, guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church.

His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos was asked by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to represent Him, for the first time as a bishop, for the feast of St. Irene Chrysovalantou at the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, New York.

If you are in need of church supplies, consider purchasing these items from the St. Photios on-line store store!

The Department of Greek Education is proud to announce the release of a new children’s book titled “The Big Secret” written by Ms. Maria Brastianou and illustrated by Mr. Christos Gousidis. This project was made possible by the generous grant the Department of Greek Education received from Leadership 100.

Can you identify a student who is passionate about serving their fellow students, and helping them access the fullness of the faith through the ministry of OCF.