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St. Nicholas Church
Publish Date: 2020-03-01
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Evdokia
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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

Fourth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:1-12

Καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον ἡσύχασαν κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ὄρθρου βαθέος ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα, καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς. εὗρον δὲ τὸν λίθον ἀποκεκυλισμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι οὐχ εὗρον τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ τούτου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο ἐπέστησαν αὐταῖς ἐν ἐσθήσεσιν ἀστραπτούσαις. ἐμφόβων δὲ γενομένων αὐτῶν καὶ κλινουσῶν τὸ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν γῆν εἶπον πρὸς αὐτάς· τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν; οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἠγέρθη· μνήσθητε ὡς ἐλάλησεν ὑμῖν ἔτι ὢν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, λέγων ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθῆναι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ σταυρωθῆναι, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστῆναι. καὶ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέψασαι ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς ἕνδεκα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς λοιποῖς. ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ ᾿Ιωάννα καὶ Μαρία ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ οἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς, αἳ ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα. καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς. ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν, θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός.

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.


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 ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4.

Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.

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 Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.


Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."


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Saints and Feasts

Evdokia
March 01

The Holy Righteous Martyr Eudocia the Samaritan

This Saint, who was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (Baalbek in present-day Lebanon), was an idolater and led a licentious life. Being beautiful beyond telling, she had many lovers, and had acquired great riches. Yet brought to repentance by a monk named Germanus, and baptized by Bishop Theodotus, she distributed to the poor all her ill-gotten gains, and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to the life of asceticism. Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded, according to some, under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117, according to others, under Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138.


Eden
March 01

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.


Allsaint
March 02

Hesychius the Martyr

Holy martyr Hesychius lived during the reign of king Maximian in 302. He was the first and the leader in the royal palace and the Senate, because he was magistrianus by office. When Maximian ordered that all Christians who were royal soldiers ought to be deprived of their belts (which were a sign of their royal merit) and live as civilians and without honour, many Christians preferred to live without any outward honour due to this illegal order than to be honoured and lose their soul. St. Hesychius was numbered with these Christians as well. When the king heard this, he ordered that the saint ought to be stripped of the expensive clothes, which he used to wear, and be dressed with a shabby mantle without sleeves woven from hair and to be as disgraced and disdained as to consort with women.

When this had been carried out, the king invited him and asked him: "Aren't you ashamed, Hesychius, that you lost the honour and office of magistrianus and that you have been debased to this kind of life? Or maybe you don't know that the Christians, whose way of life you preferred, have no power to restore you to your previous great honour and office?" The saint replied: "Your honour, o king, is temporary but the honour and glory which Christ gives is eternal and without end." Because of these words the king got angry and ordered his men to tie a great millstone around the saint's neck and then to throw him in the middle of river Orontus, which lies in Coele Syria and which is commonly called Oronge. Thus, the blessed man received the crown of martyrdom from the Lord.


Nicholasplanas
March 02

Our Holy Father Nicholas Planas

 

Saint Nicholas Planas was born in 1851 A.D. on the island of Naxos in Greece. He was married as a teenager and soon after ordained to the diaconate and then the priesthood. His wife reposed soon after and so he assumed the burden of being a widowed father and a parish priest. He was known for his zeal in serving the liturgy, especially his habit of serving the Divine Liturgy every day for 50 years. Many altar boys would see him radiating light or raised off the ground while serving the liturgy. Being so revered by his parishioners, he became known as “Papa,” which is an affectionate term for a parish priest. Papa Nicholas reposed in 1932 and was formally canonized as a saint in 1992.


Gerasimosjordan
March 04

Gerasimus the Righteous of Jordan

This Saint, who was from Lycia in Asia Minor, lived there for many years as a hermit, and then went to Palestine. There he built the great Lavra by the Jordan River, where a lion served him with great obedience and devotion. One day the lion came looking for Gerasimus that he might feed him, but his disciples took the lion to the place where they had buried the Saint shortly before. The lion fell at the Saint's grave and, after roaring with grief, died at that very place. Saint Gerasimus reposed in 475.


Allsaint
March 06

42 Martyrs of Amorion in Phrygia

These Martyrs, men of high rank in the Roman (Byzantine) army, were taken captive when the city of Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Moslem Arabs in 838, during the reign of Theophilus the Iconoclast. Among them were Aetius and Melissenus, the generals; Theodore, the chief of the imperial ceremonial bodyguard; Craterus, the eunuch; Callistus, Constantine, Bassoes, and Theophilius, who were military officials; and certain others who held important positions. Because of their experience in war and their virtue, the Moslems did not slay them, but tried by all means to convert them to Islam and have them to fight in their own campaigns. They kept the holy Martyrs shut up in a dark dungeon in the city of Samarra in Syria, threatening and abusing them, making promises of glorious rank and magnificent riches, keeping them in hunger, oppression, and darkness, not for a few weeks, or a few months, but for seven full years. Finally, unable to break the courage and faith of their captives, they beheaded them in the year 845.

17_theodore3
March 07

First Saturday of Lent: The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro

Julian the Apostate, knowing that the Christians purify themselves by fasting most of all during the first week of the Fast -- which is why we call it Clean Week -- planned to defile them especially at that time. Therefore he secretly commanded that during those days the markets be filled with foods that had been defiled with the blood of animals offered in sacrifice to idols. But by divine command the Martyr Theodore (see Feb. 17) appeared during sleep to Eudoxius, then Archbishop of Constantinople. The Saint revealed to him the tyrant's plan, then told him to call the faithful together immediately on Monday morning and prevent them from purchasing those foods, but rather to make kollyva to supply their needs. The bishop asked what kollyva might be, and the Saint answered, "Kollyva is what we call boiled wheat in Euchaita." Thus, the purpose of the Apostate was brought to nought, and the pious people who were preserved undefiled for the whole of Clean Week, rendered thanks to the Martyr on this Saturday, and celebrated his commemoration with kollyva. These things took place in 362. Wherefore, the Church keeps this commemoration each year to the glory of God and the honour of the Martyr.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

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 Plagal Second Mode

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν μου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου μοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος· ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη μου, οὐ μὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι· Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησόν με τὸν παραπεσόντα.
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This Week at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

 

Friday, February 28

4 PM Greek School

 

 

Saturday, February 29

Saturday of the Souls

10:45 AM 75th Anniversary Meeting

12 PM Greenlawn Cemetery Blessing

 

 

Sunday, March 1

Forgiveness Sunday

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

11 AM Sunday School

11:15 AM Memorials for Costa Tsingelis, Anna Psilos, and Peter W. Saffo

5 PM Vespers

6 PM Community Soup Meal

 

 

Monday, March 2

 7 PM Choir Rehearsal

 

 

Tuesday, March 3

 9:15 AM Orthros

 10 AM Synaxis Orthodox Discussion

 6:30 PM Adult Dancing

 7 PM Parish Council

 

 

 Wednesday, March 4

5:30 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

6:30 PM Family Night

 

 

Friday, March 6

4 PM Greek School

7 PM Salutations to the Theotokos

 

 

 Saturday, March 7

Saturday of the Souls

11 AM Oleander Memorial Gardens Cemetary Blessing

 

 

 

Sunday, March 8

Sunday of Orthodoxy

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

11 AM Sunday School

11:15 AM  3-year Memorial Pantelis Miliotis

12 PM Oratorical Festival

 

 

 

 Parish Council Members on Pangari Duty today: Lee King and Louis Batuyios

Next week: Dino Psilos and Evangelos Fragos

 

 

Sunday's Fellowship hour will be hosted by the families of Costa Tsingelis, Anna Psilos, and Peter W. Saffo

 

 

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Parish News & Updates

  PARISH NEWS AND NOTES

 

 

 

**ON SUNDAY**5 YEAR MEMORIAL…The St. Nicholas Family together with the Tsingelis Family remember the life of Costa Tsingelis who fell asleep in the Lord in hope of Resurrection on February 5, 2015.  May his memory be eternal…Αιωνἰα του η Μνήμη... Life to us all…ζωἠ σε μας!

 

 

 

**ON SUNDAY**40-DAY MEMORIAL…The St. Nicholas Family together with the Psilos family remember the life of Anna Psilos who fell asleep in the Lord in hope of Resurrection on January 15, 2020. Let us join in prayer with the Psilos family. May her memory be eternal…Αιωνἰα της η Μνήμη and Life to us all…ζωἠ σε μας!

 

 

 

**ON SUNDAY**40 DAY MEMORIAL…The St. Nicholas Family together with the Saffo-Skandalakis family remember the life of Peter W. Saffo who fell asleep in the Lord on January 17 in hope of Resurrection. May his memory be eternal…Αιωνἰα του η Μνήμη...Life to us all…ζωἠ σε μας!

 

 

 

**NEW**GREEK MARKETPLACE…Stock up your kitchen with Greek products from our St. Nicholas marketplace.  We have olive oil, orzo, dolmathes, gigantes prepared beans, oregano, honey, spoon sweets, cookies, chocolates, Greek coffee, and Nescafe coffee.  See Sandra Papanikolaou or Irene Sotiriou Vogiatzis during the coffee hour on Sunday’s.

 

 

 

NEXT SUNDAY ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL…Just a reminder that the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held next Sunday.  All of our St Nicholas youth are invited to participate! To register please go to https://www.goarch.org/-/st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival under Participant Registration Form. All the information is on the web site to help prepare for the Festival, but if you should have any questions please contact Kim Dandulakis.

 

 

 

PHILOPTOCHOS…will have Fresh Home Made Lenten Soup Sales To-Go to support our philanthropic missions - March 8, March 15 and March 29, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.  Select from a variety of soups made with extra love! All soup is packaged to be reheated for the week.

 

 

 

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. Starting March 11, 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.

 

 

 

FOREVER YOUNG…The Forever Young group will meet for lunch and fellowship at Olive Garden (located on 5307 Market St) on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at 11:45 AM sharp. 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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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), Anthony Constandy (father of Elisabeth Baynard), Sherry Demas, Nicholas & Margie Devoles, Constantine Dukas, Sue Fokakis (Autumn Care), Demitra George, Mary Gianoplus, 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

    Koliva & Prosforo Ministry - Wednesday Nights in Great Lent

    Koliva & Prosforo Ministry - Wednesday Nights in Great Lent

    There is something for everyone in March during Great Lent!! Please join the Prosforo Ministry Workshop on Friday, March 13 at 5 PM. Call Lisa Steyer @ (917) 882-4164 for more info. Also, there will be a Koliva Ministry Workshop on Saturday, March 14, at 10 AM. Call Olympia Fragos @ (910) 232-6976. Wednesday Evenings in Great Lent...immediately after Pre-Sanctified Liturgy (5:30 PM) all are welcome to join in the evening's events. ADULTS: Book discussion with Courtney Malahias & Mary Beth Miliotis...reading the book "Meditations for Holy Week" YOUNG ADULTS: "The Happiness Lab" Podcast Discussion with Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel. GOYANS: "The Relationship Project" Video Discussion with Fr. Steven Klund with the topic, Engaging our Teens in the Life of the Church.


    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.


    Philoptochos Soup Sale

    Philoptochos Soup Sale

    Let Philoptochos do the cooking for you!! The Ladies of Philoptochos will have Fresh Home Made Lenten Soup Sales To-Go to support our philanthropic missions - March 8, March 15 and March 29, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Select from a variety of soups made with extra love! All soup is packaged to be reheated for the week.


    2020 Oratorical Festival

    2020 Oratorical Festival

    The 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


    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.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

For I know, yea I know many, not merely fasting and making a display of it, but neglecting to fast, and yet wearing the masks of them that fast, and cloaking themselves with an excuse worse than their sin.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

Henceforward then we must be free from our listlessness; "for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."[*] You see how he puts the Resurrection now close by them. For as the time advances, he means, the season of our present life is wasting away, and that of the life to come waxes nearer. If then thou be prepared, and hast done all whatsoever He hath commanded, the day is salvation to thee...Yes, for the day is calling us to battle-array, and to the fight. Yet fear not at hearing of array and arms. For in the case of the visible suit of armor, to put it on is a heavy and abhorred task. But here it is desirable, and worth being prayed for. For it is of Light the arms are! Hence they will set thee forth brighter than the sunbeam, and giving out a great glistening, and they place thee in security: for they are arms, and glittering do they make thee: for arms of light are they!...It is the deadly kind of passions then that he is for extinguishing, lust, namely, and anger. Wherefore it is not themselves only, but even the sources of them that he removes. For there is nothing that so kindles lust, and inflames wrath, as drunkenness, and sitting long at the wine...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 25 on Romans 13, 4th Century

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. . . We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family.
His Grace Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia
20th Century

For he who is praying as he ought, and fasting, has not many wants, and he who has not many wants is not covetous. He who fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up nothing is mightier than the man who prays sincerely.
St. John Chrysostom
Fourth Century

The value of fasting consists not in abstinence only from food, but in a relinquishment of sinful practices, since he who limits his fasting only to an abstinence from meat is he who especially disparages it. The change in our way of life during these blessed days will help us to gain holiness. Therefore we should let our soul rejoice during the fast.
St. John Chrysostom
Fourth Century

What He said is like this: Bury not gold in the earth, nor do any other such thing, for you do but gather it for the moth, and the rust, and the thieves. And even if you should entirely escape these evils, yet the enslaving of thine heart, the nailing it to all that is below, you will not escape: "For wheresoever thy treasure may be, there is thine heart also." ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

It is required that not only with the body should we fast, but with the soul. Now the soul is humbled when it does not follow wicked opinions, but feeds on becoming virtues. For virtues and vices are the food of the soul, and it can eat either of these two. Bend your appetite toward virtues, as Paul says, "Being nourished by the word of truth."
St. Athansios of Alexandria

That great man Moses, when fasting, conversed with God, and received the law. Great and holy Elijah, when fasting, was thought worthy of divine visions, and at last was taken up like Him who ascended into heaven. And Daniel, when fasting, although a very young man, was entrusted with the mystery, and he alone under-stood the secret thing of the king. . .
St. Athanasios of Alexandria

If we have true love with sympathy and patient labor, we shall not go about scrutinizing our neighbor's shortcomings. As it is said, "Charity shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). . . True love screens anything of this kind, as did the saints when they saw the shortcomings of men. Were they blind? Not at all! But they simply would not let their eyes dwell on sins.
St. Dorotheos of Gaza

One must not trust one's feelings, since because of his limitedness a man cannot know everything, and therefore his judgment is also relatively limited. "Even if you see with your own eyes that someone sins, do not judge, for the eyes also may be deceived."
St. John Climacus

The basis of all good things is the liberation of the soul from the captivity of the enemy. The light and life that accompany this freedom is attained by settling steadfastly in a single place and always fasting. That is, by regulating your life wisely and prudently, practicing restraint of the flesh, and remaining in a quiet place. He who puts these two rules into practice will eventually attain all the virtues.
Abba Isaac

. . .humble men like this are not men who have been converted, who have repented. They are men who are being converted, who are repenting. The Lord's call to repentance does not mean that we are to be converted once only, nor that we should repent from time to time (though one ought to begin with that). It means that our whole life should be a conversion, a constant repentance.
Archimandrite Vasileios
Hymn of Entry, 20th Century

A vainglorious ascetic is cheated both ways: he exhausts his body and gets no reward. It is not he who depreciates himself who shows humility, but he who maintains the same love for every man who reproaches him.
St. John Climacus

For the same is both treasure and seed; or rather it is more than either of these. For the seed remains not for ever, but this abides perpetually. Again, the treasure germinates not, but this bears thee fruits which never die.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 20 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

0ne must in every way flee from judging, and pray in secret for those who have sinned. "This form of love is pleasing to God." Judging is bound up with impudence and is incompatible with true repentance: "To judge is to impudently appropriate to oneself the rank of God."
St. John Climacus

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Metropolis of Atlanta News

Handmaidens Ministry

02/26/2020

Handmaidens is a ministry dedicated to fostering the love of Christ and His Church in young women as it is modeled after the ministry of the Theotokos, the Myrrhbearers, and the other women saints. The group provides the opportunity for girls to grow together in service, prayer and purity through their participation in the life of the church.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

"Friends of Saint Nicholas National Shrine" to Complete Saint Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero

02/28/2020

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with leading Trustees of the “Friends of Saint Nicholas,” held an informational national call-in on the project and the restart of construction at Ground Zero on Wednesday, February 26.

Leadership 100 Approves Five Million Dollars for Saint Nicholas National Shrine and Additional Grants of $2,673,658 at its Annual Conference

02/27/2020

NEW YORK – Following the formal announcement that Leadership 100 Board of Trustees approved a grant of five million dollars for Saint Nicholas National Shrine, His Eminence Archbishop of America celebrated this historic decision. “Today, Leadership 100 has again responded to the call of need, as they have time and time again in the history of our Archdiocese. We thank the entirety of the membership of Leadership 100, not only for this grant, but for their continued confidence in Saint Nicholas National Shrine, and their dedication to its completion.”

Encyclical of Archbishop Elpidophoros for Holy and Great Lent 2020

02/26/2020

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today we commence our journey of the Great Lent that leads us inexorably to the Holy Passion of the Lord and the Pascha of unending joy. It is a time of determination and concentration, one in which we are encouraged to abstain from certain foods and drink, to practice more active charity and philanthropy, and to look within at the values and principles by which we live our lives.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Give Commencement Address at Notre Dame

02/25/2020

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed his delight and pride that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will give the University of Notre Dame’s 175th commencement address on May 17, 2020, at the conclusion of his Apostolic Visit to the United States.
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Assembly of Bishops News

Executive Committee meets to Prepare for 10th Anniversary Celebration

02/27/2020

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened at the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America to discuss the 2020 and 2021 budgets, ongoing projects, and the upcoming 10th Anniversary of the Assembly, to be held May 2-5 in Washington, DC.

Mission Sunday 2020

02/25/2020

Sunday, March 1st, has been designated Mission Sunday by the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. Missions lies at the very core of our Orthodox tradition. The Church was founded on a spirit of sharing the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection with the world so that all people, in every nation, may partake of salvation and restoration through Him.
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