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St. Nicholas Church
Publish Date: 2018-07-29
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Allsaint
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St. Nicholas Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (910) 392-4444
  • Fax:
  • (910) 392-4905
  • Street Address:

  • 608 South College Road

  • Wilmington, NC 28403


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Orthros/Matins:  Sunday 8:00AM

Divine Liturgy:  Sunday 9:30AM

 


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. Ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον· ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.

Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ᾽ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἐωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ᾽ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ᾽ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ· Φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας· μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.

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

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 3:9-17.

Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί· θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται· αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός· ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.


Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:22-34

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ᾽ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ᾽Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ᾽Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ᾽Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ᾽Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ.

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.
Upon the mountain were You transfigured, and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they were able, O Christ our God; so that when they would see You crucified they might understand that Your Passion was deliberate, and declare to the world that in truth You are the Father's radiance.
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This Week at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

 

The Dormition Fast begins Wednesday, August 1 and ends on Wednesday, August 15

with the celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos

 

Sunday, July 29

 

9th Sunday of Matthew

8 AM Orthros/Liturgy

Memorial Service

11:30 AM GOYA Meeting

11:30 AM 75th Anniversary Committee Meeting

 

Monday, July 30

6:30PM Adult Greek Dancing

 

Tuesday, July 31

Office Hours resume 8AM-5PM

Welcome back Georgia!

 

Wednesday, August 1

Dormition Fast begins

6PM Small Paraklesis

 

Thursday, August 2

6PM Great Paraklesis

 

Friday, August 3

6PM Small Paraklesis

 

Sunday, August 5

10th Sunday of Matthew

8AM Orthros/Liturgy

6PM Great Vespers for The Holy Transfiguration

 

  ***Please note that the only official calendar for the church is the online calendar at http://stnicholaswilmington.org/ParishCalendar.html

Parish Council Members on Pangari Duty this week: Melissa Kirkby & Carl Baynard

Next week: Irene Sotiriou and Peter Manolukas

SUNDAY'S Fellowship Hour is hosted by:

Stewardship Ministry

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Parish News & Updates

**NEW** On Sunday we will have a second collection dedicated to an effort to bring comfort, aid, and hope to those whose homes and communities have been destroyed by the devastating fires in Attica, Greece.  Any checks written can be made payable to IOCC.  We will also have a second collection next Sunday, August 3 for anyone who would like to donate on that date.

 

**NEW** On Sunday we are holding a memorial service for the victims of the fires in Attica, Greece.  May their memories be eternal.

 

**NEW** All Ministries, turn in your event calendar for the Ecclesiastical Year 2018/2019. Fr. Jon will review/approve events so there are no conflicts.  The calendars are requested to be turned in by Sunday, August 19.  Any events submitted after this date will be given secondary consideration.

 

**NEW** Feast Day of Panagia Prousiotissa Monastery (Troy, NC) will be taking place Tuesday, August 21 (6PM Festal Vigil) and Wednesday, August 22 (8:30AM Festal Liturgy followed by Lunch.)  For more information, please contact the office or see your Online Bulletin.

 

OFFICE…Georgia Marmaras is out of the office until Tuesday, July 31st.  Office Hours until her return are 8AM until 1PM.  Upon her return, Office Hours will return to the normally scheduled time of 8AM until 5PM.

 

ADULT GREEK DANCING…Please join us on Monday, July 30 from 6:30-8:30PM.  This will be the last session until Wednesday, August 22 to honor the Dormition Fast.  All are welcome to join us.

 

SAVE THE DATE…Philoptochos sponsored Taverna Night and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 27 starting 7:30PM.  Live Greek Music, Heavy hor d’oevres/Cash bar, Great silent auction items in time for holiday giving. This will support our many charities, including Nourish NC, NC Diaper Bank, Local Homeless Teens, IOCC, and OCMC.

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Parish News and Updates (Continued)

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL, RECOVERING AND/OR HOMEBOUND...

Angelo Angeledes, Shelby Biancaniello (daughter of Sue Lawler), Bobby Bobon (brother of Sue Lawler), Stavros Chantiles, Anthony Constandy (father of Elisabeth Baynard), Sherry Demas, Nicholas Devoles, Constantine Dukas, Sue Fokakis (Autumn Care), George Fokakis (Morningside), Demitra George, Maria Karafas, Nick Karloutsos (Silver Stream), Dan Kirkby (brother of Matthew), Nikolaos Kotsinis, Olga Mancuso, Calvin McGowan, Mary Compos Marmaras (Cypress Pointe), Eleni Mitsis (mother of Effie Davis), Koula Poulos, Pat Skinner-Darby, Charity Skinner-Darby (daughter of Pat), Tom Souflas, Peggy Stephano, Helen Vurnakes, Vasilios Vogiatzis, MaryAnn Wall

Please contact the church office to add/remove someone from the list.

 

LIVE STREAMING OF SERVICES... Please be reminded of the live streaming of our services at St. Nicholas that can be seen on our website directly at www.stnicholaswilmington.org/LiveStreaming.html. In case you would like to set your mobile devices up with the pertinent app please contact Alexandros Theodoropoulos at communications@stnicholaswilmington.org

 

ONLINE GIVING... We have an online giving system in place on our website that can be used for conveniently making donations towards stewardship pledges. The pertinent donation buttons are located on the left pane of the homepage at www.stnicholaswilmington.org as well as on the Stewardship page of our website at www.stnicholaswilmington.org/Stewardship.html .

 

General Fund Operating Expenses versus Income

 

Expenses

Income

Difference

January

 $37,995.11

 $19,386.32

 -$18,608.79

February

 $25,635.51

 $19,855.87

-$5,779.64

March

 $26,290.76

 $26,811.13

 $520.37

April

 $20,786.00

 $34,989.75

 $14,203.75

May

 $31,598.95

 $29,959.88

-$1,639.07

June

 $31,591.26

 $16,609.00

-$14,982.26

Year to Date

   $173,897.59  

   $147,611.95  

   -$26,285.64  

 

 ***********************************************

 

Stewardship

 

Received

Goal

Difference

January

$16,475.32

$24,196.28

-$7,720.96

February

$15,634.20

$24,196.28

-$8,562.08

March

$21,383.00

$24,196.28

-$2,813.28

April

$15,687.60

$24,196.28

-$8,508.68

May

$24,863.58

$24,196.28

$667.30

June

$13,810.00

$24,196.28

-$10,386.28

Year to Date

 $107,853.70  

     $145,177.68  

   -$37,323.98  

 

We can provide hearing assistance systems. If you would like to use the system while you are attending Liturgical Services in person, please see an attendant at the pangari stand.

 

We welcome you to worship with us, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us.  Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to Baptized and Chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the church, ALL are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not sacramental, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church.

 

WELCOME VISITORS! Please complete a Visitor’s Card before you leave Church and drop it in the offering tray, give it to one of our parishioners after Divine Liturgy, or mail it back to the church office.  We would love to get to know you!

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Bulletin Inserts

    Paraklesis Prayer List

    Paraklesis Prayer List

    Please write the baptismal names of the LIVING in Greek or in English you would like prayers to be said during the Paraklesis Services during the Dormition Fast this August. Bring with you to church and give to Fr. Jon or the office.


    Stewardship Pledges 2018

    Stewardship Pledges 2018

    January 2018 - June 11, 2018


    Greek Heritage Night at the Durham Bulls

    Greek Heritage Night at the Durham Bulls

    Durham Bulls vs. Syracuse Chiefs Saturday, July 28 @ 6:35PM


    Feast Day of Panagia Prousiotissa Monastery August 21 & 22 2018

    Feast Day of Panagia Prousiotissa Monastery August 21 & 22 2018

    Invitation for all to attend. Also included is information for the October 17, 2018 20th Anniversary Event for the Founding of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Prousiotissa.


    St. Demetrios, August 24-26, 2018

    St. Demetrios, August 24-26, 2018

    ​​We would like to invite all Goyans to Beach Reach retreat. This is an awesome opportunity to get reconnected with other Goyans and with God. Most recent flyer is attached. We will follow up with the rest of the forms for registration next week. If you have any question, please email cdsamaan7@gmail.com . Looking forward to seeing you all in Daytona Beach. -St. Demetrios Goyans


    Arrival of the Panagia Vimatarissa Icon September 29 2018

    Arrival of the Panagia Vimatarissa Icon September 29 2018

    Beginning at 11:00 AM, this rare and joyous occasion will take the form of a procession with the icon of the Theotokos into our new Panagia Chapel, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, along with the Monks of Vatopaidi, the clergy of the Metropolis of Atlanta, and a parade group created especially for the event! Together, we will all have the opportunity to venerate the miraculous icon of our Lady, offer glory to our God and Creator, thanking those who made this day possible, and enjoying the fellowship of our Metropolis of Atlanta family. His Eminence hopes to see as many parishioners there as possible.


    37th Annual Raleigh Greek Festival

    37th Annual Raleigh Greek Festival

    September 7-9, 2018 Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities deadline July 31st for Sponsorship


    Connect October 5-7, 2018

    Connect October 5-7, 2018

    https://connectorthodoxy.org/ The Connect Conference is for Orthodox young adults in their 20s and 30s. Through learning, fellowship, and worship, the goal of the conference is to better connect us to our faith, the Church, and each other. The format of the conference includes keynote addresses to the group, breakout sessions in smaller groups with time for Q&A, worship times including the Divine Liturgy, and plenty of opportunities for fellowship.


    "An Evening in Black & White" - Celebrating St. Nektarios 20th Anniversary

    "An Evening in Black & White" - Celebrating St. Nektarios 20th Anniversary

    "An Evening in Black & White" - Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, October 20th, 2018, 6:00PM - Midnight


    Greek Taverna Night 2018

    Greek Taverna Night 2018

    Please help us promote our Greek Taverna Night on Saturday October 27, 2018. We will have Live Greek Music. We will also have our Silent Auction! Proceeds will benefit Nourish NC, NC Diaper Bank, Local Homeless Teens, IOCC, OCMC. We are excited about this event and hope to make it an annual one! Tell all your friends about it!


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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
July 29

Olaf of Norway


Calmstorm
July 29

9th Sunday of Matthew


Allsaint
July 29

Theodota the Martyr and her Children


Allsaint
July 29

Constantine III, Patriarch of Constantinople


Allsaint
July 29

Pious King Theodosius the New


Allsaint
July 29

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodota

Concerning Saint Theodota, little is known except that she was a virgin who was horribly tormented and slain for her confession of Christ.


Allsaint
July 29

The Holy Martyr Callinicus

Saint Callinicus was from Cilicia. Because he preached Christ and turned many pagans away from the idols, he was seized by Sacerdon the Governor, who subjected him to many tortures, then had him shod with shoes in which nails had been fixed upright, and compelled him to run to the city of Gangra, where he was burned alive in a furnace.


Allsaint
July 29

Seraphima the Virgin-martyr of Antioch


Silas
July 30

Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Andronicus the Apostles of the 70

Saint Silas was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. Saint Silvanos became Bishop of Thessalonica, and also reposed in peace. Saint Crescents, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Second Epistle to Timothy(4:10), became Bishop of Chalcedon, and brought many to the Faith. As for him whom the Apostle of the Nations praises as "my well-beloved Epenetus, the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Roman 16:5), he became Bishop of Carthage, and after enduring many afflictions from the idolators, and bringing many of them to Christ, he departed to the Lord.


Allsaint
July 30

10th Monday after Pentecost


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Wisdom of the Fathers

So absolutely nothing does it avail to be near Christ, if not being near Him by faith .... Signifying therefore that not the assault of the wind, but his want of faith had wrought his overthrow, He said, "Wherefore did you doubt, O you of little faith?"
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 50 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

So that if his faith had not been weak, he would have stood easily against the wind also. And for this reason, you see, even when He had caught hold of Him, He suffers the wind to blow, showing that no hurt comes thereby, when faith is steadfast.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 50 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

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Metropolis of Atlanta News

Message from Metropolitan Alexios on Arrival of the Panagia Vimatarissa Icon (Saturday, 9/29/18)

07/12/2018

My Beloved Ones,

Today, I am at the Diakonia Retreat Center, spending time with our Faithful young people who are attending the 3rd week of our St. Stephen’s Summer Camp.

This week, I wish to speak to you of one of the miraculous icons of our Faith; one that has especially great meaning for me, as it is an important part of the Vatopadi Monastery where I spent my early years as a Monk. This icon is the blessed and miraculous Panagia Vimatarissa, and it has been a part of the monastery since it was discovered on the land where the Monastery would eventually be established.

However, by the 10th century, the icon was in danger of being stolen by the pirates, who regularly sought to steal from the monasteries of the Holy Mountain.  In order to prevent this, the monk responsible for the Holy Altar decided to place the image of the Theotokos in the well. However, though this Hierodeacon was taken captive by the Turks, the icon was safe, and eventually forgotten. 70 years later, now free, the Monk returned to the monastery and instructed the new Abbot to open the well. The icon was indeed there, untouched, and floating at the very top.

This is indeed a powerful reminder of the ways in which God protects His Church, but I tell you this story for a very special reason. This coming fall, September 29th 2018, we will be blessed with a unique opportunity, for the Abbot of Vatopaidi has agreed to provide the Panagia Chapel at our Diakonia Retreat Center with a replica of the blessed and miraculous Panagia Vimatarissa icon. I am so pleased and proud that this sacred image of our Most Holy Theotokos will come to reside in this magnificent and beautiful Chapel that we have also built in her honor.

Therefore, it is only fitting that we all welcome this sacred object with all the veneration due to our ever-Virgin Mary. The events of that Saturday (which we have already begun to plan) shall provide all the faithful who attend a unique opportunity for prayer. Together, we shall process with the icon; we shall give glory to God through worship; we shall honor all those who made this day, and our blessed Panagia Chapel, a reality; and we will be given an opportunity for fellowship with all our faithful brothers and sisters of Metropolis of Atlanta.

Though more information is still to come, I wish to express my joy, as well as my great hope to see as many of you there as possible. Indeed, beyond my own personal devotion to this image, it is a great rare thing for a Metropolis to be so honored with a replica of this type, and so we should all do our very best to be together, welcoming the sacred image, and the pious Monks who shepherd it here safely.

I pray that throughout the summer, you keep not only the event in mind, but the story of the miracle as well. We would all do well to remember the love our Creator has for the Theotokos, and the power that her intercessions have on the lives of the Orthodox faithful.

 

       + ALEXIOS +

Metropolitan of Atlanta


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Assembly of Bishops News

Directory of Pan-Orthodox Clergy Brotherhoods and Associated Pan-Orthodox Organizations

07/20/2018

The first-ever national state-by-state directory of the active local and regional Orthodox Clergy Brotherhoods and associated Pan-Orthodox laity organizations has been published by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. Thirty-six local or regional Orthodox Clergy Brotherhoods and nine Pan-Orthodox laity organizations are listed in this directory.
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