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St. Nicholas Church
Publish Date: 2018-08-05
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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

Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν πάλιν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος· ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως. ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· οὔ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος, ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο· ἦν γὰρ γυμνός· καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἄρτον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. ἀνέβη Σίμων Πέτρος καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα τριῶν· καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτὸν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.

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

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 4:9-16.

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ἐσχάτους ἀπέδειξεν ὡς ἐπιθανατίους· ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ ἀγγέλοις, καὶ ἀνθρώποις. Ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, ὑμεῖς δὲ φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ· ἡμεῖς ἀσθενεῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰσχυροί· ὑμεῖς ἔνδοξοι, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄτιμοι. Ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας καὶ πεινῶμεν, καὶ διψῶμεν, καὶ γυμνητεύομεν, καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα, καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν, καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν· λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν· διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα· βλασφημούμενοι παρακαλοῦμεν· ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα ἕως ἄρτι. Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλʼ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶ. Ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλʼ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας· ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα. Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε.

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
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 17:14-23

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων· Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει· πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη! ἕως πότε ἔσομαι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ κατ᾿ ἰδίαν εἶπον· διατί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. τοῦτο δὲ τὸ γένος οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. ᾿Αναστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα.

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."


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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.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Transfiguration in the Fourth Mode

Χριστού τήν Μεταμόρφωσιν προϋπαντήσωμεν, φαιδρώς πανηγυρίζοντες τά προεόρτια, πιστοί καί βοήσωμεν, Ήγγικεν η ημέρα τής ενθέου ευφροσύνης, άνεισιν εις τό όρος τό Θαβώρ ο Δεσπότης, τής θεότητος αυτού απαστράψαι τήν ωραιότητα.
Come, let us all welcome the Transfiguration of Christ, and joyously celebrate the bright prefestival, O ye faithful, and let us cry: Nigh at hand now is the day of God-given gladness, as the Sovereign Master goeth up on Mount Tabor to flash forth with the beautiful light of His Divinity.

Apolytikion for Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in the First Mode

Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια. Πάτερ Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness and a teacher of Temperance; for this cause thou hast achieved the Heights by humility, Riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch, Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kanóna písteos ke ikóna praótitos, engratías didáskalon, anédixe se pímni sou, i ton pragmáton alíthia;dia toúto ektíso ti tapinόsi ta ipsilá, ti ptohía ta ploúsia. Páter Ierárcha Nikólae, présveve Hristó to Theó, sothíne tas psihás imón.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Εν τή θεία σήμερον Μεταμορφώσει, η βροτεία άπασα, φύσις προλάμπει θεϊκώς, εν ευφροσύνη κραυγάζουσα, Μεταμορφούται Χριστός, σώζων άπαντας.
All of mortal nature now divinely shineth on this day with the divine Transfiguration ere the time; and in great gladness, she crieth out: Christ is transfigured, and saveth the race of man
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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

 

 

Friday, August 3

6PM Small Paraklesis

 

Sunday, August 5

10th Sunday of Matthew

8AM Orthros/Liturgy

Trisagion for Hristos Ginis

6PM Great Vespers for The Holy Transfiguration

 

Monday, August 6

Holy Transfiguration

8AM: Orthros/Liturgy/Blessing of the Grapes/Transfiguration

6PM Great Paraklesis

 

Tuesday, August 7

6PM Small Paraklesis

7PM Parish Council Meeting

 

Wednesday, August 8

6PM Great Paraklesis

 

Thursday, August 9

6PM Small Paraklesis

 

Friday, August 10

6PM Great Paraklesis

 

Sunday, August 12

11th Sunday of Matthew

Sunday after Transfiguration

8AM Orthros/Liturgy

11:30AM GOYA Advisors Meeting

 

 *Please note that the only official calendar for the church is the online calendar

 

 

Parish Council Members on Pangari Duty today: Irene Sotiriou and Tina Bostic

Next week: Peter Manolukas and Evangelos Fragos

 

 

Today’s Fellowship Hour is hosted by:

Stella McTaggart and the Ministry of Technology & Communications

 

 

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Parish News & Updates

**NEW**PHILOPTOCHOS..Our Ladies Philoptochos is partnering with one of our local schools to help provide much needed school supplies.  When out shopping, please consider picking up an extra item on our list.  Drop off items in the container located in the Hellenic Center.  Thank you!

 

**NEW**METROPOLIS EVENT…Please save the date for Saturday, September 29, 2018. We are fortunate to host a miraculous icon - Panagia Vimatarissa - from the Monastery of Vatopaidi on Mount Athos, for all to venerate at the Panagia Chapel in Salem, South Carolina.  His Eminence looks forward to seeing as many members of the Metropolis family there as is possible. For more information, please contact the office, see your online bulletin or check out our St. Nicholas Facebook page for a direct link for this event!

 

2ND TRAYToday 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.  Thank you to everyone who donated last week.

 

COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES… 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.

 

PANAGIA PROUSIOTISSA…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.

 

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, Stephanie Harrill (daughter of Pat and Marisa Gallaher), 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), Maria Padgett-Velaetis, 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  

 

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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


    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.


    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.


    Baklava Walk/Run 5K

    Baklava Walk/Run 5K

    St. Constantine & Helen GOC 5K Walk/Run September 8, 2018 at 3PM


    "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!


    Philoptochos and School Supplies

    Philoptochos and School Supplies

    Please join our Philoptochos in helping provide needed supplies for our local schools.


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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
August 05

Eusignius the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr was from Antioch, and had been a soldier from the time of the reign of Constantius Chlorus (the father of Saint Constantine the Great) to that of Julian the Apostate. He censured Julian's ungodliness and reminded him that he was the nephew of Saint Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor. He reminded him further, that from his tender youth he had been nourished on the milk of piety and instructed in the Faith of Christ, had been a fellow student of Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, had been a reader of the Church of Nicomedia, and that he had set all these things at nought and become a transgressor of the promises made in his divine Baptism, and had offered to the idols the adoration that is due to God alone. Reminding the Apostate of all these things and reproving him, he was beheaded in the year 361, having lived altogether 110 years, and been a soldier for more than sixty.


Transfiguration
August 06

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.


Allsaint
August 07

The Holy Righteous Martyr Dometius

This Martyr, who lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, was a Persian by race and an idolater by religion. He was catechized by a certain Christian named Abarus. He went to Nisibis, a city of Mesopotamia, where he was baptized and donned the monastic habit in a certain monastery. He afterwards ascended a mountain and there endured in extreme ascetical struggles, working miracles for those that came to him, and converting many unbelievers. Julian the Apostate learned of these things as he was marching against the Persians in 363, and at his command the Saint and his two disciples were stoned to death, as they were chanting the Sixth Hour.


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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

Here Christ is not speaking of that faith which believes in Him undoubtingly and knows Him to be true God, but of the faith (needed) to work miracles. If ye have faith, He said, so exceedingly warm and burning as a grain of mustard seed (for these are its qualities), and if it is believed without a doubt that ye will perform signs, then ye will receive such power, that if ye desire to move the very mountains, ye will move them.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary, edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

[The Lord] went on to mention mountains as well, and went even further: "Nothing will be impossible for you." Now, for your part, admire [the disciples'] sound values in not concealing their limitations, and the Spirit's power in gradually bringing on those without even a mustard seed in such a way that rivers and fountains of faith gush forth in them.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 (PG 58, 563) Translated by Robert Charles Hill found in "Spiritual Gems from the Gospel of Matthew" , 4th Century

At this point he is referring to the faith required for signs, and mentions a mustard seed is small in size, yet it is more potent than all others in its effects. So to bring out that the least degree of genuine faith is capable of great things, he mentioned the mustard seed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 56 (PG 58, 549-50) Translated by Robert Charles Hill in "Spiritual Gems from the Gospel of Matthew", 4th Century

For a man to have such faith appears simple, but it is, on the contrary, something very lofty, not easily attained by many. Such faith is born of boldness before God; but such boldness comes (only) from pleasing God. Beloved, great labour is needed to acquire, through pleasing God, such boldness before Him that one firmly believes that he will grant all that one asks; as it is written, Ask, and it shall be given to you.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary: edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002., 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


Arrival of the Panagia Vimatarissa Icon (Saturday, 9/29/18)

07/11/2018

On September 29th 2018, the Metropolis of Atlanta will be blessed to receive the miraculous Panagia Vimatarissa icon from the Monastery of Vatopaidi. 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, the Monks of Vatopaidi, the clergy of the Metropolis. Together, we will all have the opportunity to venerate the miraculous icon of our Lady.
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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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