The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Sundays / Κυριακή
7:45am - Matins / Όρθρος
9:00am - Divine Liturgy (Greek) / Θεία Λειτουργία
11:00am - Diving Liturgy (English) / Θεία Λειτουργία
Wednesdays / Τετάρτη
6:00pm - Paraklesis to Theotokos / Παράκληση στη Θεοτόκο
Saturdays / Σάββατο
6:00pm - Great Vespers / Μέγας Εσπερινός
First Day of Each Month / Κάθε 1η του Μήνα
6:00pm - Blessing of the Waters / Αγιασμός
True Belief Changes Us
Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3.14-16) When most Christians hear this promise of our Lord, we are comforted that “all we need to do is believe” and we will be saved. But what does it mean to believe?
Here is the story that Jesus was recalling, for the people to remember in their past how the Lord had saved them from sin and from those who had been fighting against them. “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Numbers 21.7-9)
When we believe in something, it changes the way we act. If the Jews who had been bitten by a serpent did not believe enough to look at the staff of Moses, they would not have lived. If they had chosen to go their own way and trust in their own logic, they would not have lived. They had to change, based on their belief, in order to be saved.
The same is true for us. Jesus said, “AS Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, SO must the Son of man be lifted up.” Instead of a golden staff, God has given us the Church through which we can be saved from sin and those fighting against us. But just as the Jews of the Old Testament, if we would rather choose to go our own way and trust in our own logic, then we will not be saved even if we say that we believe. If our belief does not change the way we live, it will not save us.
For us living in 21st Century America, it has become easy to say we believe in God without ever having to change the way we live, until recently. The society around us has, for the most part, reinforced our way of life. Recently, more and more, our society is fighting against the way of life established by God and His Church and we now find ourselves in a similar situation as the Jews of the Old Testament. We are becoming surrounded by serpents who constantly try to bite us. Our only hope for survival is to believe God, that He will save us through His Church, as He saved the Jews through Moses, because in His Church we are blessed to receive Holy Communion and live.
+Fr. Athanasios C. Haros
Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family,
We have concluded our summer Divine Liturgy Series, so today we will begin the “Ask Father” Adult Catechism Series for the Ministry Year. Adult Catechism will happen between the first and second Divine Liturgies which is around 10:20am.
We invite your questions and great conversations during our sessions. Below you will see the Ask Father sheet to fill out and submit to the Parish Council members on duty in the Narthex. We are excited for a great Adult Catechism year!
With Love in the Lord,
+Fr. Sampson N. Kasapakis
8:15AM Divine Liturgy (Greek)
Evangelia Psilakis | 6 Months
Katolina Miaoulis | 9 Months
Nikitas Tsimouris | 17 Years
George Lempidakis | 19 Years
Nicholas Lempidakis | 22 Years
11:00AM Divine Liturgy (English)
Nikolitsa Vestas | 3 Years
If you are in need of a Memorial or are contemplating having an Artoklasia Service, call our Parish Office at (727) 937-3540 to make arrangements.
Kollyva (μνημόσυνα) for memorials can be ordered through:
Antonia Korfias (727) 937-8785
Irene Koutelas (727) 934-5245
Evangelia Stavropoulos (727) 937-5649
Contact info for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement.
Artemis, Pantelis, Manuel
Ourania
Mary
Michael, Katerina, Caliope, Nikoletta,
Georgios, Sevasti, Emanuel, Victoria
A Prayer for Healing
"Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal me, Your servant, from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant me patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray that You heal me as Your servant and grant me the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen."
(Team 1)
Karen Koulias
Mike Kouremetis
Charles Samarkos
James Shoemaker
Costas Sisois
Nick Vouvalis
An example of the Faith and a life of humility. As a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock and through the truthfulness of your deeds were exalted by greatness through your humility; uplifting all and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and Hierarch St. Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.
Κανόνα πίστεως και εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τη ποίμνη σου, η των πραγμάτων αλήθεια δια τούτο εκτήσω τη ταπεινώσει τα υψηλά, τη πτωχεία τα πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τω Θεώ, σωθήναι τας ψυχάς ημών.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Saint Severian, a senator from Sebastia, was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. Because he encouraged the holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia to stand fast in their confession, he was given over to terrible torments, and received his own crown during the reign of Licinius and Lysius the Duke, about the year 315.
When: September 28th - 30th
Accommodations: Atlanta Marriott Century Center/ Emory Area (404) 325-0000
Travel: $100/person - Charter Bus from Saint Nicholas
This first come, first serve event registration is coming to an end!
Reserve your spot ASAP.
Please call the Parish Offices at (727) 937-3540 if interested to reserve your spot.
It's not too late to join, register online today!
Mondays | 6:00 PM Orthodoxy 101 - Discovering Orthodox Christianity (Nikitas Manias Cf. Rm.)
Mondays | 7:30 PM Orthodoxy 201 - Living Orthodox Christianity (Nikitas Manias Cf. Rm.)
Tuesdays | 7:00 PM Bible Study on Romans - A Bible Study from the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (Fr. Tryfon Hall)
Wednesdays | 7:00 PM Young Adult Bible Study - Studying ‘Nine Words’ by Allen Hunt (Fr. Tryfon Hall)
Thursdays | 9:30 AM Women’s Book Club - Studying “Blueprint for the Little Church / Creating an Orthodox Home” by Elissa Bjeletich & Caleb Shoemaker (Fr. Tryfon Hall)
Sundays | 6:30 PM Women’s Book Club - Studying “How to Live a Holy Life” by Metropolitan Gregory Postnikov of St. Petersburg (Fr. Tryfon Hall)
One day, a person complained to their priest that the Church and Christianity is one continual “give, give, give.” To which the priest replied, “Thank you very much for the finest definition of Christianity I have ever heard. You’re right, Christianity is all about a constant “give, give, give.”
God giving His only Son to the world to show His unconditional love. His Son Jesus giving His life on the cross to forgive our sins and destroy death. Then our Lord’s disciples giving all they had to make sure God’s Good News of love was preached to all people everywhere. They not only gave away their homes and businesses, but even gave up their lives as martyrs in gratitude to God!
If you are not a Steward this year, we invite you
to have the opportunity to participate!
Visit www.stnicholastarpon.org/give to start today.
Starting this Sunday, September 9th, our new Sunday Schedule begins. Download the flyer for a fun interactive experience!
It's not too late to join a class! Register online at www.stnicholastarpon.org/ministries
WHAT: Pilgrimmage to Panagia WHEN: September 28th - 30th ACCOMODATIONS: Atlanta Marriott Century Center/ Emory Area (reservations must be made directly with hotel) TRAVEL: $100/person - Charter Bus from Saint Nicholas
Our Dance Ministry will resume practices on September 10th.
Join us September 15th for a luxurious evening of Paint & Pinot! Proceeds will go to benefit our PreSchool. Visit our website (www.stnicholastarpon.org) to register.
First day of classes is Sunday, September 23rd
Apply today at stnicholastarpon.org/ministries
Philoptochos Rummage Sale | October 19, 20, 21
Fr Athanasios On-Call (727) 741-0139 for Emergencies
7:00AM Othros/Matins
8:15AM First Divine Liturgy
10:20AM Adult Catechism
11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy
6:30PM Women's Book Club
8:00PM Ministry Leader Meeting
8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal
4:30PM Greek Folk Dance Practice - Elementary School
5:00PM Byzantine Children's Choir
5:30PM Folk Music Ministry
6:00PM Orthodoxy 101
6:30PM Greek Folk Dance Practice - Middle School
7:15PM Greek Folk Dance Practice - High School
7:30PM Orthodoxy 201
4:00PM Greek School
6:00PM Young Adult Open Gym
7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 106
10:30AM Little Lambs
11:00AM Funeral Service: Maria Tsakalakis
6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos
7:00PM Book Store Committee Meeting
7:00PM GOYA Open Gym Night
8:00PM Young Adult Bible Study
9:30AM Women's Book Club
4:00PM Greek School
6:00PM Great Vespers
7:00PM Choir Practice
7:00PM Parish Council Meeting
8:00AM Orthros/Matins
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
8:00AM Orthros/Matins
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
6:00PM Great Vespers
7:00PM St Nicholas Preschool Fundraiser
Fr Sampson On-Call (941) 266-3229 for Emergencies
7:00AM Othros/Matins
8:15AM First Divine Liturgy
10:20AM Adult Catechism
11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy
6:00PM GOYA Roundtable
6:30PM Women's Book Club