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St. Nicholas Church
Publish Date: 2020-02-16
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St. Nicholas Church

General Information

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

  • 608 South College Road

  • Wilmington, NC 28403


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Orthros/Matins:  Sunday 8:30 AM

Divine Liturgy:  Sunday 10:00 AM

 


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 16:1-8

Καὶ διαγενομένου τοῦ σαββάτου Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν αὐτόν. καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου. καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου; καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα. καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν. ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε· ᾿Ιησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον· ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἴδε ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. ἀλλ᾿ ὑπάγετε εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν. καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου· εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ.

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

Προκείμενον. Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.14,18.
Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος.
Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 6:12-20.

Ἀδελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει· πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν. Ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν. Φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν· ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ; Καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς· δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ.

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20.

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 15:11-32

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί· πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. καὶ μετ᾿ οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὸς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους. καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε· πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυμαι! ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου. οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου· ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱός· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ· ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. ῏Ην δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ· καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. ὠργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. ὁ οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρί· ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ· ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν· εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη.

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"


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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
February 16

Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

This Martyr contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290, in Caesarea of Palestine, and was put to death by command of Firmilian, the Governor of Palestine. His fellow contestants' names are Valens, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrius, Julian, Theodulus, and five others from Egypt: Elias, Jeremias, Esaias, Samuel, and Daniel. Their martyrdom is recorded in Book VIII, ch. 11 of Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, called The Martyrs of Palestine.


Prodson
February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


Theotyrn
February 17

Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.


Theotyrn
February 17

Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.


Allsaint
February 17

Hermogenes (Germogen), Patriarch of Moscow

Our Father among the Saints Hermogenes (Germogen), Patriarch of Moscow, was born about 1530 in Kazan. While yet a layman, he lived as a clerk in the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Kazan. In 1569, the year that Metropolitan Philip of Moscow was slain in Tver (see Jan. 9), Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver, fled to Kazan fearing the wrath of Ivan the Terrible. So Hermogenes became a spiritual son of Saint Barsanuphius. He was made priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Kazan, and was a witness of the miracles of the newly-appeared icon of our Lady of Kazan (see July 8). Later he became Abbot of the Monastery of the Transfiguration, and in 1589 was consecrated Metropolitan of Kazan, in which capacity he converted and baptized many pagan Tartars and heterodox.

In late 1604, the so-called false Dimitry, a pretender to the Russian throne who claimed to be the son of Ivan the Terrible (who had died in 1584), crossed the Russian border, having the support of the Jesuits and King Sigismund III of Poland, who hoped through Dimitry to force Papism upon the Russian people; a few cities, such as Chernigov, soon surrendered to him. Shaken by these calamities, Tsar Boris Gudonov died suddenly, and in June, 1605, the pretender entered Moscow and took the Russian throne. He then declared his intention to marry a Polish woman without her receiving Baptism in the Orthodox Church; when the authorities and the hierarchy remained silent out of fear, it was Metropolitan Hermogenes alone who fearlessly rebuked him and demanded that she renounce Papism and be baptized according to the rites of Orthodoxy. For this, Hermogenes was banished to Kazan. In 1606 Prince Basil Shuisky led the people in the overthrow of Dimitry, and Basil was elected Tsar in Moscow; Hermogenes was made Patriarch of Moscow. The overthrow of Dimitry did not end the endeavours of the Poles to subject Russia to themselves, and in those times of upheavals, treachery, and bloodshed, the valiant Patriarch Hermogenes showed himself to be a great spiritual leader of the people, and, like Saint Philip of Moscow almost half a century before, the conscience of Orthodox Russia in times of betrayal and terror.

In 1609 King Sigismund succeeded in setting his son upon the Russian throne, and Patriarch Hermogenes again insisted that the new Tsar be baptized in the Orthodox Church, marry an Orthodox Christian, and have no dealings with the Pope. The Poles, together with rebel boyars who supported them, imprisoned Patriarch Hermogenes in an underground chamber of the Chudov Monastery during Holy Week of 1611, where they slowly starved him to death; he gave up his holy soul on February 17, 1612.

In 1653, his holy relics were found incorrupt; in 1812, when Napoleon captured Moscow, the Saint's tomb was desecrated in the search for treasure; when the French withdrew, the Patriarch's holy body was found intact on the floor of the cathedral; in 1883 his holy relics were again found whole. Saint Hermogenes was glorified on May 12, 1913, and added to the choir of holy hierarchs of Moscow, whose feast is celebrated on October 5; at the time of his glorification a multitude of miracles were wrought through his incorrupt relics.


Allsaint
February 21

Timothy the Righteous

Saint Timothy took up the monastic life from his youth, became a vessel of the Holy Spirit, and reposed in deep old age.


Allsaint
February 21

Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch

Saint Eustathius, the great defender of piety and illustrious opponent of Arianism, was from Side in Pamphylia. He became Bishop of Beroea (the present-day Aleppo), and in 325 was present at the First Ecumenical Council. From thence he was transferred to the throne of Antioch. But Saint Constantine the Great, led astray by the slanders directed against the Saint by the Arians, banished him to Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he reposed in 337, according to some. Others say he lived until 360.


Lastjudgement1
February 22

Saturday of Souls

Through the Apostolic Constitutions (Book VIII, ch. 42), the Church of Christ has received the custom to make commemorations for the departed on the third, ninth, and fortieth days after their repose. Since many throughout the ages, because of an untimely death in a faraway place, or other adverse circumstances, have died without being deemed worthy of the appointed memorial services, the divine Fathers, being so moved in their love for man, have decreed that a common memorial be made this day for all pious Orthodox Christians who have reposed from all ages past, so that those who did not have particular memorial services may be included in this common one for all. Also, the Church of Christ teaches us that alms should be given to the poor by the departed one's kinsmen as a memorial for him.

Besides this, since we make commemoration tomorrow of the Second Coming of Christ, and since the reposed have neither been judged, nor have received their complete recompense (Acts 17:31; II Peter 2:9; Heb. 11:39-40), the Church rightly commemorates the souls today, and trusting in the boundless mercy of God, she prays Him to have mercy on sinners. Furthermore, since the commemoration is for all the reposed together, it reminds each of us of his own death, and arouses us to repentance.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

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 Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
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This Week at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

 

Sunday, February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

8:45 AM Orthros|10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

11 AM Sunday School

12 PM Philoptochos General Meeting

 

Monday, February 17

7 PM Choir Rehearsal

 

Tuesday, February 18

7 PM Festival Meeting

6:30 PM Adult Dancing

 

Wednesday, February 19

10 AM Synaxis Orthodox Discussion Group 

 

Thursday, February 20

6:30 PM Vespers/Bible Study

 

Friday, February 21

9 am-1 pm Virtual Tour Photo Shoot (Sanctuary Closed)

4 PM Greek School

 

Saturday, February 22

12 PM GOYA Compassion Experience

4 PM YAM Test Kitchen

 

Sunday, February, 23

Judgment Sunday

8:45 AM Orthros|10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

11 AM Sunday School

12 PM General Assembly Meeting

 

 

Parish Council Members on Pangari Duty today: Tony Saffo and Barbara Harris

Next week: Cameron Calhoun and Manny Miliotis

 

 

Today’s fellowship hour will be hosted by the Parish Council

 

 

 

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Parish News & Updates

  PARISH NEWS AND NOTES

 

**ATTENTION**SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEXT SUNDAY! On Sunday, February 23, 2020, we will hold our Spring General Assembly in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the Divine Liturgy. During the assembly, we will give an update on the back building purchase, and our plans moving forward. We invite all Saint Nicholas stewards to attend.

 

 

**ON SUNDAY**PHILOPTOCHOS GENERAL MEETING...Please join the Ladies of Philoptochos for their General Meeting, following Divine Liturgy (anticipated start time is noon). They want to welcome their guest speaker Jennifer Jordan who is the community liaison with Lower Cape Fear LifeCare center.  All are welcome to attend and ask all attendees to wear red in honor of heart health awareness and Valentine’s Day.

 

 

**ON SUNDAY** WEDNESDAY PARISH LENTEN DISCUSSIONS. This Lent the COM has thoughtfully crafted three series of discussions that will help our faithful of ALL AGES grow closer to Christ over the 40 days. Immediately following our Wednesday evening Pre-Sanctified Liturgies we will have a meal together and then divide into our groups. Our GOYA will go with Fr. Steven to take part in a video series called “The Relationship Project,” the adults will study a book entitled “Meditations on Holy Week,” and the young adult ministry (YAM) will discuss a podcast called “The Happiness Lab” with Dr. Eleni Pappamichiel.

 

 

**ON SUNDAY**GOYA COMPASSION EXPERIENCE…Next Saturday, Feb 22, our GOYANS will have a tremendous opportunity to gain some perspective and broaden their horizons.  At. 12 PM, we will take all of our GOYANs to Silver Lake Baptist for the “Compassion Experience.” The Church will be remade to look like several impoverished areas around the world.  Our youth will then be given headphones in order to listen to real-life children from these areas describe the struggles of their daily lives. Email Father Steven to learn more details at FrSteven@stnicholaswilmington.org

 

 

**ON SUNDAY** SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE 75THANNIVERSARY SWEATERS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE! In honor of our historic 75th Anniversary, the Saint Nicholas family has made available a limited release of special Anniversary fleece sweaters.   Available in Men’s & Women’s sizes and cuts, these sweaters boast our very own Saint Nicholas 75th Anniversary Emblem beautifully embroidered on the chest.  Don’t miss your chance to bundle up this winter in style, and proudly display your part in our parish’s storied history! These sweaters will be available to purchase for $35 every Sunday in coffee hour and during the week in the Church Office.

 

 

**NEW**PHILOPTOCHOS PASCHA LILLIES…We are now receiving offerings of Pascha Lilies for our 2020 Paschal Celebrations! Order forms can be found in the Hellenic Center and on our St. Nicholas website. Please help contribute to the majesty and beautiful adornment of our Saint Nicholas sanctuary for the Feasts of Feasts! For any further questions, contact the office or any of our Philoptochos officers.

 

 

*UPCOMING* FESTIVAL MEETING The Greek Festival committee will meet on Tuesday night at 7 pm at the church and is open to anyone interested in participating or volunteering for the festival.  The 28th annual Wilmington Greek Festival will be May 15th-17th.

 

 

SYNAXIS BEGINNING A NEW BOOK:  This Wednesday we started a new session focusing on the Ladder of Divine ascent by St. John Climacus.  We are reading a book entitled “Thirty Steps to Heaven” to help guide our discussions.  The book is available for the purchase in our bookstore or office.  Synaxis meets every Wednesday morning at 10 AM.  Please contact Irene Voneiff or Debbie Rallis for more information.

 

 

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL…will take place on March 8, 2020.  All St. Nicholas youth are invited to participate.  See your child's Sunday School teacher or contact Kim Dandulakis @ 910-798-9726 for more information

 

 

PHILOPTOCHOS…SAVE THE DATE: make plans now to join us for the Philoptochos Spiritual Lenten Retreat at the Diakonia Center in Salem, SC the weekend of March 20-22 featuring noted author Fredericka Matthews-Green. The deadline to register is February 16.  See Maria Stasios or Irene Sotiriou Vogiatzis for more information. 

 

 

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Parish News and Updates (Continued)

Please pray for those who are ill, recovering, and/or homebound: 

 

Konstantina Alimaras (sister to Stacey Papalitskas), Angelo Angeledes, Bobby Bobon (brother of Sue Lawler), Stavros Chantiles, Anthony Constandy (father of Elisabeth Baynard), Sherry Demas, Nicholas & Margie Devoles, Constantine Dukas, Sue Fokakis (Autumn Care), Demitra George, Mary Gianoplus, Nick Karloutsos (Silver Stream),  Nikolaos Kotsinis, Olga Mancuso, Calvin McGowan, Mary Compos Marmaras (Cypress Pointe), Maria Padgett-Velaetis, Anne Bakalis Pinkston, Dorothy Radomsky, Pat Skinner, Tom Souflas, Peggy Stephanou, Vasilios Vogiatzis, Mary Ann Wall

 

Please contact the church office to add/remove someone from the list. The names will stay on our prayer list for 40 days unless we’re called to remove.

 

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

BOOKSTORE...Please remember to visit our wonderful bookstore on your way to Coffee Hour on Sundays. 

STAFFED NURSERY...During Divine Liturgy each Sunday throughout the year we have a staffed nursery with an attendant available for the use of our youngest members from birth to age 5. We believe that Christians of ALL ages are welcome to worship in the sanctuary, including young children. But, if your child needs a wiggle break, please feel free to use this provided Service.

HEARING ASSISTANCE 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.

ANTIDORON... We welcome you to worship with us today whether you are already an Orthodox Christian, or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church we are pleased to have you with us.  Please be aware that Holy Communion is reserved for those already Baptized and Chrismated in the Orthodox Church. However, ALL are invited to receive the Antidoron (Holy Bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and join us for coffee hour in the fellowship hall next door.  Communion and other Sacraments are offered to those already in the Orthodox Church.

 

 

 

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Bulletin Inserts

    **TOMORROW**2020 Ahepa and Hellenic School Valentine's Dance

    **TOMORROW**2020 Ahepa and Hellenic School Valentine's Dance

    St. Valentine’s Dance sponsored by the St. Nicholas Hellenic School and the local AHEPA Chapter #408 TOMORROW in the Hellenic Center. Pashalis Band will provide the music for your enjoyment and dancing. Come and enjoy good fellowship, good food, and good entertainment. Tickets will sold at the door!!


    ON SUNDAY - Ladies Philoptochos General Meeting

    ON SUNDAY - Ladies Philoptochos General Meeting

    LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY…Please attend the General meeting on Sunday following Divine Liturgy. Guest speaker from Hospice Life Care Center. All ladies are invited to attend! We invite you to wear RED for heart health awareness and Valentines' Day.


    Easter Lilies Offering 2020

    Easter Lilies Offering 2020

    We are now receiving offerings of Pascha Lilies for our 2020 Paschal Celebrations! Please use this opportunity to help contribute to the majesty and beautiful adornment of our Saint Nicholas sanctuary for the Feasts of Feasts! For any further questions contact the office or any of our Philoptochos officers. You may find Easter Lily offering forms in the Hellenic Center.


    75th Anniversary Gala - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - SAVE THE DATE!

    75th Anniversary Gala - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - SAVE THE DATE!

    We are very excited to announce our 75th Gala for the 75th Anniversary of our beloved St. Nicholas GOC. The GALA will be at The Hotel Ballast at 301 North Water Street in Wilmington, NC o October 24, 2020, starting at 7 PM for Cocktails and Reception and 8 PM for Dinner and Dancing. For any inquiries, please call Maria Stasios at 910-233-4011 or Koula Katsikis at 910-297-3141. "75 Years Established & Commited in Christ" - Proverbs 16:3


    28TH Annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival

    28TH Annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival

    This year’s festival is going to be held on May 15th - 17th here at the church. The festival committee’s preparation is well underway with the aim of improving on a successful festival last year. The festival will have a new look this year with the roll-out of our new festival logo designed by Father Steven and adopted by the committee. We will be using the logo throughout our media campaign running up to the festival to bring awareness to the community at large. In addition to the new logo, the festival also has launched a new twitter domain which can be used as a source for information before, during and after the festival. You can access by searching Wilmington Greek Festival on Twitter or by going to @greek_nc. We are excited to announce the addition of the first annual festival run/walk “Run for the Gyro” which will be held on Saturday, May 17th on the campus of UNCW across from the church. The festival is partnering with Go-Time of Wilmington to hold the event. Interested participants will be able to register on the Go-Time website and will receive a race T-shirt and be eligible for prizes including private classes at Orange Theory. Orange Theory, a race sponsor, will also host the race registration and pick-up which will be from 4 pm – 6 pm on Friday, May 16th at their Orange Theory south location at The Pointe. For more information or if you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Daphne Snow, Mary Beth Miliotis or Manny Miliotis. Two local charities will benefit from the festival this year. Good Shepherd Center will be a benefiting charity. The mission of Good Shepherd is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and foster transition to housing. Established in 1983, Good Shephard is the largest provider of homeless services in the Cape Fear region and includes a soup kitchen, food salvage and distribution, transitional and permanent supportive housing for veterans and men with disabilities, a day shelter for the homeless, a 118-bed night shelter and a recently opened an affordable housing unit with 40 apartments for chronically homeless adults with disabilities. First Fruit Ministries will also be a benefiting charity at this year’s festival. First Fruit Ministries, founded in 1998, shares the the unconditional love of God through food, shelter, and friendship to those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Southeastern NC. First Fruit focuses on supportive housing for women and families and street outreaches including feeding programs, food pantry service, outreach to home-bound widows, and a day shelter which provides medical care, emergency services and housing referrals. For more information on this year’s festival, contact Nick Saffo or Lee King.


    2020 Oratorical Festival

    2020 Oratorical Festival

    The Parish Festival date is March 8, 2020, and the Parish Chairperson Kim Dandulakis at 910-798-9726 can be contacted with any questions.


    Philoptochos 2020 Spiritual Retreat

    Philoptochos 2020 Spiritual Retreat

    PHILOPTOCHOS…SAVE THE DATE: Ladies Philoptochos Society Metropolis Spiritual Retreat at the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem SC. March 20-22. All ladies invited. Please see the flyer in Hellenic Center. Registration deadline Feb 16. Please see Maria Stasios or Irene Sotiriou for questions or more information.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

... but since he repented, and did not despair, he was restored, even after such great corruption, to the same splendour as before, and was arrayed in the most beautiful robe, and enjoyed greater honours than his brother who had not fallen.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness - an intelligently free and immortal life...Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!' (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

For "these many years," saith he "do I serve thee, neither transgressed I thy commandment at any time, and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends; but when this thy son is come who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf." So great is the power of repentance.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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Metropolis of Atlanta News

The Orthodox Christian Academy of Atlanta: Inaugural Conference on Monasticism

02/14/2020

OCAA will foster dialogue between the Church and contemporary society to enrich the spiritual lives of those seeking a deeper relationship with God. The speakers of this Symposium were selected as both scholars and monastics, so that they may help both the Laity and their fellow monastics gain a greater understanding of the Monastic lifestyle.

Spring Leadership Meetings Schedule

02/10/2020

We welcome our Vicars, Metropolis Council, Presidents Meeting participants, Archons and Endowment members the weekend of March 19-21.

Registration Underway for 2020 Presidents Meeting on March 21

02/10/2020

On Saturday, March 21, our Atlanta Cathedral will host the 2020 Parish Presidents Meeting from 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Workshops will feature resources and question and answer sessions for the following topics: youth protection, insurance, construction, renovation and iconography projects, guiding parishes with clergy transitions, new changes to the Archdiocese Allocation Program, monetary savings on candles, educational symposia, and new regional councils within the Metropolis.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Bishop Metodije of Diokleia visits Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

02/12/2020

NEW YORK – On Monday, February 10, 2020, Bishop Metodije of Diokleia visited Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Archdiocese Headquarters, to discuss the current religious and political situation in Montenegro.

Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Tikhon to Feed Those in Need

02/11/2020

NEW YORK – Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Tikhon met yesterday at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in an ongoing effort to strengthen the relationship between the Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church in America.

Archbishop Appoints Dr. Maria Koulmanda to HCHC Board

02/11/2020

BROOKLINE, Mass. – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has appointed Maria Koulmanda, PhD, to the Hellenic College Board of Trustees. Dr. Koulmanda is Chair of the Maliotis Center Committee of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College and former Secretary of the Friends of the Maliotis Cultural Center. The committee was formed last fall upon the successful resolution of the legal issues between the Center and the school, thanks in large part to His Eminence's
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