Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 1:9-11

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἦλθεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀπὸ Ναζαρὲτ τῆς Γαλιλαίας καὶ ἐβαπτίσθη ὑπὸ ᾿Ιωάννου εἰς τὸν ᾿Ιορδάνην. καὶ εὐθέως ἀναβαίνων ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος εἶδε σχιζομένους τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ὡς περιστερὰν καταβαῖνον ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν· καὶ φωνὴ ἐγένετο ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν· σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν σοὶ ηὐδόκησα.

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Mark 1:9-11

At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.26,1.
Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.
Στίχ. Στίχ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τίτον 2:11-14, 3:4-7.

Τέκνον Τίτε, ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις, παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι, προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων.

ὅτε δὲ ἡ χρηστότης καὶ ἡ φιλανθρωπία ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὧν ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν αὐτοῦ ἔλεον ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου, οὗ ἐξέχεεν ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς πλουσίως διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, ἵνα δικαιωθέντες τῇ ἐκείνου χάριτι κληρονόμοι γενώμεθα κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου.

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7.

TITUS, my son, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Gospel Reading

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 3:13-17

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραγίνεται ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν ᾿Ιορδάνην πρὸς τὸν ᾿Ιωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· ἄφες ἄρτι· οὕτω γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην· τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν· καὶ βαπτισθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀνέβη εὐθὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδε τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν· καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα.

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 3:13-17

At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Epiphany in the First Mode

Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις, τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοί, ἀγαπητὸν σὲ Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστεράς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεῖς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοί.

When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἓν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνούντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον.

You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."

This Week at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Friday, January 4

No Greek School

Saturday, January 5

Eve for Theophany

8AM Royal Hours

9:30AM Vesporal Liturgy & Blessing

6PM Great Vespers

Sunday, January 6

Theophany

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Waters

11:45AM New Parish Council to affirm the oath of office

12PM Vasilopita Auction

6PM Great Vespers for St. John the Baptist at Myrtle Beach

Monday, January 7

Synaxis of St. John the Forerunner

8AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, January 8

Fr. Jon on vacation January 8-15

11:45AM Forever Young Kick-off Meeting at Olive Garden on Market St.

Wednesday, January 9

10AM Orthodox Coffee Hour

6PM **New** Adult Book Study

Friday, January 11

4PM Greek Language School

Saturday, January 12

4PM Hall reserved

Sunday, January 13

Sunday after Theophany

8:30AM Orthros/Divine Liturgy

75^th Anniversary Meeting

Fr. Regis officiating

Parish Council Members on Pangari Duty today: Melissa Kirkby and Lee King

Today’s fellowship hour will be hosted by the Ladies of Philoptochos

Parish News & Updates

ON SUNDAY…Please join the Ladies of Philoptochos for the annual cutting of the Vasilopita today at the end of Divine Liturgy and after the swearing in of our new Parish Council. Members. Ministry leaders/members will be called up to the Solea for a piece of Vasilopita. It is customary to leave a donation in the basket for St. Basil’s Academy and St. Nicholas’s benevolent fund when coming to get the piece of Vasilopita. Proceeds from donations will be equally distributed to both charities. The Vasilopita Auction and coffee hour will take place in the Fellowship hall immediately following.

**NEW**ST. JOHN ORATORICAL FESTIVAL...will take place February 17, 2019. Contact Kim Dandulakis or Rick Reynolds for any questions or help.

**NEW**FESTIVAL CHARITY APPLICATION…we are now accepting festival charity request forms from local agencies who would like to partner with our festival. Deadline is JANUARY 25, 2019 to receive all forms.

FOREVER YOUNG… will meet this Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at the Olive Garden on Market St. at 11:45 sharp for our kickoff luncheon. Anyone who is 55 or older is welcome to join us. We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!!

BOOK CLUB…will begin this Wednesday evening January 9, 2019 at 6PM. Pomegranate Bookstore is donating 25 copies of “Let the Peace of God Rule in your Hearts” and “Do Not Judge.” Call Courtney Malahias @ 910-431-5835 with any questions.

CROSS DIVE & THEOPHANY CELEBRATION…SAVE THE DATE…Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Blue Water Grill Waterfront in Wrightsville Beach, NC at 11:00AM. Lunch immediately following. Children 5 & under free; Youth $12; Adults$20; Divers: $20. Contact the office at 910.392.4444 or office@stnicholaswilmington.org for more event information. Registration for Divers and tickets are being sold after Divine Liturgy in the Fellowship Hall.

75^THANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE MEETING…January 13, 2019 after Divine Liturgy. Committee members invited to attend.

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY…SAVE THE DATE …January 27, 2019...The new stewardship cards will be sent out shortly. We will be asking all parishioners to send in or fill in your 2019 card for a special blessing after the Divine Liturgy service. Please call the office with any questions

THREE HIERARCHS CELEBRATION…SAVE THE DATE…Sunday, February 3, 2019 immediately following Divine Liturgy. Our guest speaker will be Stella McTaggart. We look forward to seeing every one!!

HOME BLESSINGS…During the days following the Feast of the Theophany (January 6), it is customary for Fr. Jon to visit homes of his parishioners for the traditional Theophany Home Blessing. Please feel free to call the church (910.392.4444) to schedule your Home Blessing.

Parish News and Updates (Continued)

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

Please pray for thos who are ill, recovering, and/or homebound: Bishop Athanasios Akunda, 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, Iffie Diakogiannis, Constantine Dukas, Constantine Efthymiou (Father of Barbara Harris), Sue Fokakis (Autumn Care), Demitra George, Stephanie & Georgiana JeanHarrill (daughter & granddaughter of Pat and Marisa Gallaher), Helen Kaprantzes, George Kanes (brother-in-law of BarbaraHarris), Nick Karloutsos (Silver Stream), Dan Kirkby (brother of Matthew), Emanuel Koklanaris, Nikolaos Kotsinis, Olga Mancuso, Calvin McGowan, Mary Compos Marmaras (Cypress Pointe), Maria Padgett-Velaetis, Koula Poulos, Dorothy Radomsky, Pat Skinner-Darby, Kim Saffo, Charity Skinner-Darby (daughter of Pat), Tom Souflas, Peggy Stephano, Debbie Triantafillopoulos, 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 .

During Divine Liturgy each Sunday throughout the year we have a staffed nursery with attendant available for the use of our youngest members from birth to age 5. If your child needs a wiggle break or a place to listen to the Divine Liturgy in a different environment, please feel free to use this provided Service.

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!

Bulletin Inserts

Divine Liturgy Youth Program

Parents and Children: Please read last week's bulletin and discuss. Happy Reading!!

Vasilopita Sunday

Please join the Ladies of Philoptochos for the Annual Cutting of the Vasilopita on January 6, 2019 at the end of Divine Liturgy and after the swearing in of our new Parish Council Members. The Vasilopita Auction will take place in the Fellowship hall immediately following.

Cross Dive and Theophania Celebration

Please join us on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Bluewater Grill in Wrightsville Beach at 11:00AM. Please RSVP by January 20, 2019. Please contact for Registration and more Event information.

St. Nicholas Book Club Meeting

Please join Courtney Malahias every Wednesday evening at 6PM beginning on January 9, 2019!

Greek Festival Charity Application

Can you believe it? Festival is around the corner! The festival committee is busy at work preparing for this years festival for May 17, 18 and 19, 2019. I have attached a Charity request application so you may print out and give to your favorite charity. Please make sure your Charity completes the entire form. The deadline for the Charity Request application is January 25, 2019.

Oratorical Festival

Save the Date for the 2019 St. Nicholas Oratorical Festival. Sunday, February 17, 2019 Please contact Kim Dandulakis or Rick Reynolds for more information.

Cross Road Hellenic College Holy Cross

Apply today for CrossRoad 2019! Explore your faith like never before... Application deadline is February 1, 2019

Clergy Laity Assembly Save the Date

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios invites you to the 2019 Clergy Laity Assembly on June 25-29, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Fundraising Gala

Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Invites you to join them on February 23, 2019 at the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta.

2018 Poinsettia list

Thank you to all who donated to this year's Philoptochos Poinsettia campaign.

Saints and Feasts

January 06

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens.

January 07

Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner

Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rest from labour. Fish allowed.

January 08

George of Hozeva

Saint George lived about the beginning of the ninth century in Palestine, in a certain monastery called Hozeva, which lies in a great ravine between Jerusalem and Jericho.

January 10

Gregory of Nyssa

Saint Gregory, the younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was encouraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a similar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honor of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Gregory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the journey, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and became very diligent in the service of God.

Gregory became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was of one mind with the Arians. After the death of Valens in 378, Gregory was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarkable writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council call him 'Father of Fathers."

January 12

Tatiana the Martyr of Rome

Saint Tatiana was the daughter of a most distinguished consul of Rome. She became a deaconess of the Church, and for her confession of the Faith of Christ, she endured many torments. As she was suffering, angels punished her tormentors with the same torments they inflicted on her, until they cried out that they could no longer endure the scourges invisibly brought upon them. She was beheaded during the reign of Alexander Severus (111-135).

Wisdom of the Fathers

Why were the heavens opened? To inform you that at your baptism also this is done, God calling thee to your country on high.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 12 on Matthew 3, 4th Century

Christ is illumined, let us shine forth with Him. Christ is baptized, let us descend with Him that we may also ascend with Him.

St. Gregory the Theologian

Oration on the Holy Lights, Epiphany 381, 10-16., 4th Century

Moses baptized but it was in water ... John also baptized ... not only in water, but also "unto repentance." Still it was not wholly spiritual, for he does not add "And in the Spirit." Jesus also baptized, but in the Spirit. This is the perfect Baptism.

St. Gregory the Theologian

Oration on the Holy Lights, Epiphany 381, 10-16., 4th Century

Watch yourselves - your passions especially - in your home life, where they appear freely, like moles in a safe place

St. John of Kronstadt

My Life in Christ, Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 33, 19th century

But why in the fashion of a dove? Gentle is that creature, and pure. Forasmuch then as the Spirit too is "a Spirit of meekness"(Gal 6:4)

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 12 on Matthew 3, 4th Century

For so, when once a common shipwreck had overtaken the whole world, and our race was in danger of perishing, this creature appeared, and indicated the deliverance from the tempest, and bearing an olive branch.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 12 on Matthew 3, 4th Century

Metropolis of Atlanta News

Christmas Day Dinner for the Homeless

12/26/2018

https://atlmetropolis.org/news/christmas-day-dinner-for-the-homeless

On Christmas, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios and Fr. George Tsahakis joined Fr. Thomas Alissandroni and his parishioners at St. John the Wonderworker Church to feed more than 200 homeless. Appreciation is expressed to Mr. Demetrios Hadjisimos and our Atlanta Cathedral volunteers for preparing the food. Thanks to all who donated food and helped serve and distribute it, including parishioners from St. Christopher Church in Peachtree City, GA.

AXIOS! Metropolitan Alexios ordains William Damaskos into the Diaconate

12/30/2018

https://atlmetropolis.org/news/axios-metropolitan-alexios-ordains-william-damaskos-into-the-diakonate

CHARLESTON (December 30, 2018) - William Damaskos was ordained into the Diaconate at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston, South Carolina by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Epiphany in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

This Week at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Parish News & Updates

Parish News and Updates (Continued)

Bulletin Inserts

Divine Liturgy Youth Program

Vasilopita Sunday

Cross Dive and Theophania Celebration

St. Nicholas Book Club Meeting

Greek Festival Charity Application

Oratorical Festival

Cross Road Hellenic College Holy Cross

Clergy Laity Assembly Save the Date

Fundraising Gala

2018 Poinsettia list

Saints and Feasts

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner

George of Hozeva

Gregory of Nyssa

Tatiana the Martyr of Rome

Wisdom of the Fathers

Metropolis of Atlanta News

Christmas Day Dinner for the Homeless

12/26/2018

AXIOS! Metropolitan Alexios ordains William Damaskos into the Diaconate

12/30/2018