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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2018-12-23
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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (727) 937-3540
  • Fax:
  • (727) 937-1739
  • Street Address:

  • 36 North Pinellas Avenue

  • Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
  • Mailing Address:

  • 17 East Tarpon Avenue

  • Tarpon Springs, FL 34689


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sundays / Κυριακή
7:00am - Matins / Όρθρος
8:15am - 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


Past Bulletins


Dean's Message

Haros

 

 

Date: December 20, 2018  

ARCHIEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL FOR THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST (2018)

 Protocol Number 217/18

                                                                                                                                                                                  

December 25, 2018                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The Nativity of Christ  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     “And His name shall be called the Prince of Peace.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Isaiah 9:6 

 

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

 

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to the Flesh is depicted throughout our churches in the familiar and radiant icon of the Nativity. Every element of the Gospel account, historically and theologically, appears before our eyes to inspire wonder, worship, and peace. In every detail, the icon proclaims without words that the Child born this day in Bethlehem is none other than the Prince of Peace. For by His birth, peace entered into a world plagued by hatred, hurt, and conflict.

 

Our Lord came to bring peace between heaven and earth.  We see this depicted in the shepherds as they hearken to the voice of an angel.  The Evangelist Luke tells us that they were greatly frightened at the angel’s appearance (Luke 2:9).  But in the icon their faces manifest reverence and attention, not terror or guilt.  As the great company of the heavenly host chanted Glory to God in the highest, the shepherds received and believed their message of Peace on earth, goodwill towards mankind (Luke 2:14). In that peace they journeyed to Bethlehem to seek the Child of promise.  There, the shepherds witnessed God’s answer to sin and death, as forgiveness, reconciliation, and life shone forth from the cave in the face of the Prince of Peace.

 

Our Lord came also to bring peace among the peoples of the earth. We see this depicted in the figures of the Magi.  The Evangelist Matthew tells us that these astrologers from the East followed the rising of a star (Matthew 2:2) and left their homes, traversing for many months and long miles to reach the place where the newborn King dwelt. The Magi came in peace, bearing gifts in order to honor the newborn Messiah, even as the prophets had foretold: Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn  (Isaiah 60:3).

Our Lord came to bring peace within the realm of nature.  We see this depicted in the animals who kneel in worship before the manger. Strange wonders happen before them; unfamiliar visitors crowd their stable. But the animals neither cower nor flee; they calmly remain to witness the miracle.  The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his Master’s manger, as was foretold again by Isaiah (1:3).  For so many millennia, the story of human development has been a history of cruelty towards animals; but on this night, and by Christ’s birth, there was serenity and peace.   

 

Our Lord came to bring peace to our fallen human nature, beset by weakness and mortality. In the center of the icon we behold the Virgin Mother bowed down in adoration before her Son and God.  She shows no hint of pain or trauma, even after a long journey and childbirth. For with His entrance into this world, Jesus Christ came only to heal and save, not to harm or destroy.  He caused His mother no injury in His birth.  In her immaculate body, the destiny for all humanity is revealed: health, restoration, and resurrection.  Already at His Nativity, the icon declares, Christ is the master of life and death, and in Him is the ancient curse abolished (cf. Genesis 3:16).  The Prince of Peace will destroy the final enemy, which is death (1 Cor. 15:26).

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

We glorify the Prince of Peace by spreading the peace He granted to us in His Birth.  In this Christmas season—as we gather with family and friends, as we worship in the house of the Lord, as we break bread and share the bounties of our lives—let us also strive to be people of peace.  

 

Out of the stable of Bethlehem, peace from heaven shines forth: let us therefore be quick to forgive and ready to reconcile with all those around us.  From the lowly manger in Judea, peace prevails over man and beast: let us therefore be diligent as faithful stewards of God’s creation, neither exploiting nor misusing His gifts through overconsumption, materialism, or waste. Through the gifts of the Magi, peace for all peoples is foretokened: let us therefore through almsgiving and generosity be strong advocates of justice, equality, and compassion.  From the face of the Holy Theotokos, peace overflows, royal and radiant: let us therefore embrace purity and complete dedication to Christ in our minds and bodies and spirits, giving glory to the Prince of Peace who came to save us.

 

May the peace, good will, and glory of the Christmas season be yours today and always, and unto the ages of ages.  

 

“Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!”

           

With paternal love and heartfelt wishes

in the Incarnate Lord,

  

† D E M E T R I O S

Archbishop of America

 

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Adult Catechism

 

GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΑΤΛΑΝΤΑΣ

December 2018

My Beloved in Christ, I greet you with love and joy in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We are now once more blessed to be able to celebrate our Lord’s Incarnation in the cave, and thus the beginning of His salvific plan to reconcile God and His Creation. May we all, in this season which renews friendship and affection between neighbor and family, never forget, that it is not the new gift which matters most, but instead a loving and open heart. For if our Lord condescended to take on human flesh, and if our Father loved His fallen creation enough to give us His Only-Begotten Son, then what more do we need? Surely no gift we will receive this season, nor any present that we can give to another, will compare to our Incarnate Lord and Savior, who comes once again to demonstrate true humility as the Child in the manger. Notice, I say “comes again”, just as our Christmas greeting is, “Χριστός Γεννάται! Δοξάσατε! Christ is Born! Glorify Him!” Our celebration is not some way to mark time: Christ is being born now, just as He was then! In a world that seems increasingly divided, the coming of our Lord’s Nativity serves to demonstrate that the Gospel message is eternal. Kindness toward the stranger, meekness instead of pride, acceptance of God’s Will: these are the things that still touch our hearts when we consider the reality of our Lord’s Birth, and these things are just as meaningful today as they were two-thousand years ago. As we prepare to follow the example of our Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, to keep all these things, and to ponder them in our hearts, my fondest wish is that each and every one of you experience a Nativity season that is full of warmth, true joy, and spiritually uplifting moments of worship. I therefore remain, Paternally yours with love in our Incarnate Lord, 2480 Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329 Telephone: 404-634-9345 Fax: 404-634-2471 Web: www.atlmetropolis.org E-mail: info@atlmetropolis.org

+ALEXIOS Metropolitan of Atlanta

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Cathedral Listings

Memorials

8:15 AM Divine Liturgy (Greek) 

 Ioannis A. Boulafentis - 9 Days

Mary K. Himonetos - 40 Days

Petros (Pete) G. Psaras - 3 Months

Emmanuel Grigoris - 1 Year

Michael (Rick) Renetos - 6 years

Fotini Tsaousis - 8 Years

 

11:00 AM Divine Liturgy (English)

 Christina Kopteros - 2 Years

 

Memorial & Artoklasia Service Planning

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.

40 Day Prayer List

Manuel, Kalotina, Steve, Chris, George, George, Pantelis, Kaliope, Angela, Sophia, Hercules, Elizabeth, Kyriaki, Kalegis, Nomiki, Eleni, Peter

 

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."

To add a loved one to this list, or to keep one from being taken off after 40 days, please contact our Administrative Assistant on Mondays by 5:00pm. (denise@stnicholastarpon.org / (727) 937-3540 ext 102)
 
Our Priests are Here for YOU
If you, or a loved one, would like to request a priestly visit due to illness or extenuating circumstances, please call Father Athanasios (727) 741-0139 or Father Sampson (941) 266-3229.
If you are in spiritual need, Father Athanasios and Father Sampson want to make themselves available to you and ask you to please call/text or email them directly rather than through social media.

On Duty Council Members

 

 

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all glorious resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the 4th Mode

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
Ετοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ, ήνοικται πάσιν η Εδέμ, Ευτρεπίζου Εφραθά, ότι τό ξύλον τής ζωής, εν τώ Σπηλαίω εξήνθησεν εκ τής Παρθένου, Παράδεισος καί γάρ, η εκείνης γαστήρ, εδείχθη νοητός, εν ώ τό θείον φυτόν, εξ ού φαγόντες ζήσομεν, ουχί δέ ως ο Αδάμ τεθνηξόμεθα, Χριστός γεννάται, τήν πρίν πεσούσαν, αναστήσων εικόνα.

Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the 2nd Mode

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγὴ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ ἅγιοι τρεῖς παϊδες ἠγάλλοντο, καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο, Ταὶς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Sunday before Nativity
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:9-10, 32-40

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει παρῴκησεν Ἀβραὰμ εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ ᾿Ισαὰκ καὶ ᾿Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς· ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψὼν καὶ ᾿Ιεφθάε, Δαυΐδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων· ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσι καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσι.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Sunday before Nativity
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 1:1-25

Βίβλος γενέσεως ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυῒδ υἱοῦ ᾿Αβραάμ. ᾿Αβραὰμ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ισαάκ, ᾿Ισαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαρὲς καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς Θάμαρ, Φαρὲς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εσρώμ, ᾿Εσρὼμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αράμ, ᾿Αρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμιναδάβ, ᾿Αμιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλμών, Σαλμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ραχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ρούθ, ᾿Ωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεσσαί, ᾿Ιεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Δαυῒδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυῒδ δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐγέννησε τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου, Σολομὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῾Ροβοάμ, ῾Ροβοὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιά, ᾿Αβιὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ασά, ᾿Ασὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσαφάτ, ᾿Ιωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωράμ, ᾿Ιωρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Οζίαν, ᾿Οζίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωάθαμ, ᾿Ιωάθαμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῎Αχαζ, ῎Αχαζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εζεκίαν, ᾿Εζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμών, ᾿Αμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσίαν, ᾿Ιωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος.

Μετὰ δὲ τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος ᾿Ιεχονίας ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ζοροβάβελ, Ζοροβάβελ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιούδ, ᾿Αβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιακείμ, ᾿Ελιακεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αζώρ, ᾿Αζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αχείμ, ᾿Αχεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιούδ, ᾿Ελιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελεάζαρ, ᾿Ελεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός. Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ ᾿Αβραὰμ ἕως Δαυῒδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυῒδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες.

Τοῦ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου. ᾿Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν. ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ᾿ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων· ᾿Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου· τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν ῾Αγίου. τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν· αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Εμμανουήλ, ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν.


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Saints and Feasts

Treejesse
December 23

Sunday before Nativity

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.


Allsaint
December 23

Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ


Tencrete
December 23

Ten Martyrs of Crete

These Saints, who were all from Crete, contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, and Eunician were from Gortynia, the capital; Zoticus was from Knossos; Agathopus, from the port city of Panormus; Basilides, from Cydonia; Evarestus and Pompey, from Heraklion. Haled before the Governor as Christians, they were subjected to torments for thirty days, being scourged, racked, dragged upon the ground through dung heaps, stoned, spit upon. They were questioned again, but their costancy roused the Governor to greater fury. After subjecting them to torments more bitter still, he had them beheaded.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Great indeed was the faith of Abraham. . . It was necessary to go beyond human reasoning. . . to manifest also something more.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily XXV on Hebrews XI, 1,2. translation found in The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox, Monastery Books, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY 2003, p. 955., 4th Century

The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

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A Moment with Our Ministries

Little Lambs

Little Lambs Flyer


Philoptochos Christmas Card

ST. NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS COMMUNITY

2018 CHRISTMAS CARD


PHILOPTOCHOS IS SPONSORING ITS ANNUAL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD.  IT IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO SHARE HOLIDAY GREETINGS WITH THE ENTIRE PARISH AND ASSISTING PHILOPTOCHOS IN ITS CHARITABLE MISSION.


PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW, AND MAIL IT ALONG WITH YOUR MINIMUM TWENTY DOLLARS ($20.00 or more) DONATION TO:


Saint Nicholas Philoptochos

Christmas Card Project

Post Office Box 2043

                Tarpon Springs, FL 34688-2043


Thank you for your kind participation.  The deadline for returning this form with your donation is December 10, 2018.  Please contact Fani Gialousis at 727-326-4786 with any questions.

Name: _________________________________________________________


Address: _______________________________________________________


City/State/Zip:  _________________________________________________


Phone: _____________________  Email: _____________________________


DONATION ENCLOSED: Cash Amount $ _________      OR

   

   Check No.  _________          Amount $______________


PLEASE FILL OUT BELOW

 

LAST NAME

______________________________________________________

FIRST NAMES


Thank You & God Bless

 


Community Center Event Hosting

St. Nicholas Community Center & Conference Hall's 18,000 sq ft, commercial kitchens, full-service bar area, professional stage & audio/visual equipment and comfortable seating make it a perfect venue for hosting your next event. 

For booking information, or to arrange a venue tour, please visit our new venue website or call the Parish Offices at (727) 937-3540. 


Stewardship Ministry

Stewardship 2018 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.


Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

Philoptochos Circle Logo

 

ST NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS

 Hours of Operation
Mon: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tues-Thurs: 10:00 AM -12:00 Noon
18 Hibiscus Street (located directly behind St Nicholas Cathedral) 

National Philoptochos Mission Statement
To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund-raising efforts. 

As Philoptochos will begin their general meetings in September, we want you to be aware of the topics that will be shared, as they are those that were discussed at the National Philoptochos Conference in Boston, MA.
Human Trafficking
Opioid Epidemic
Educational Initiatives
How to Stop Bullying in Your Community
Being Safe & Smart: Using Technology
Women’s Health Initiatives
Inclusion Ministries
Alzheimer’s Disease: Awareness / Understanding / Support / Care 

Check out our chapter's greenhouse project challenge video update.

If you would like to make a difference, learn from others and create relationships that will last a lifetime please send your name, e-mail. phone number and address to:

St Nicholas Philoptochos
PO Box 2043
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Annual Membership Fee of $35.00 assists Philoptochos to continue serving the poor.


Letters of good standing, transcripts

Are you participating in a sacrament and need to prove you are an active member of St Nicholas Cathedral? Do you need a copy of your baptismal information? Letters of good sacramental & financial standing are provided following a meeting with the Dean of the Cathedral; please plan your appointment with Fr Athanasios well in advance in order to meet all deadlines prior to the scheduled sacrament. If you need a baptism or marriage transcript, please allow an extra 2-3 weeks for signature verification from our Metropolis.


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Parish Bulletin Board

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Master Calendar

  • St Nicholas Master Calendar

    December 23 to December 30, 2018

    Sunday, December 23

    Fr Sampson On-Call (941) 266-3229 for Emergencies

    7:00AM Othros/Matins

    8:15AM First Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

    Monday, December 24

    8:00AM Royal Hours of Christmas

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    10:00AM Vesperal Liturgy

    6:00PM Orthros/Matins

    7:00PM Divine Liturgy

    Tuesday, December 25

    OFFICE CLOSED - Christmas Day

    8:00AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Thursday, December 27

    Winter Youth Rally

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Greek Folk Dance Practice

    6:00PM Visitation: Sevasti Kourametis

    6:30PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM Sunday School Staff Christmas Party

    Friday, December 28

    11:00AM Funeral: Sevasti Kourametis

    Saturday, December 29

    9:30AM Philadelphia Men's Ministry Breakfast Meeting

    Sunday, December 30

    Fr Athanasios On-Call (727) 741-0139 for Emergencies

    7:00AM Othros/Matins

    8:15AM First Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

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