Dean's Message

Look at the World Through God’s Eyes

Ever since Adam and Eve walked in Paradise, humanity has struggled to see the world as God sees it. He created everything so that we might enjoy eternity with Him, and “everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” (Genesis 2.31) He made creation to lead us to Him. But there was danger lurking in the Garden, and the serpent began to tempt our ancestors, just as he tempts us. He tricked them into seeing God’s creation through selfish eyes rather than God’s eyes. Eve “Saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.” (Genesis 3.6) And suddenly our relationship with creation was altered forever. Suddenly humanity thought it was at war with creation, seeking to conquer it rather than live in harmony with God’s creation.

So just about two thousand years ago, God entered creation as one of us humans and sanctified all creation through His Baptism in the Jordan River. He re-established our relationship with His creation when He entered the water, and invited us to rethink about how we see the world and our relationship with it. Shortly after His Baptism, Jesus Christ began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4.17) The very word ‘repent’ means ‘to change the way you look at things’, or ‘to change your point of view.’

Humanity had been viewing the world through the wrong eyes. Rather than seeing life as God wanted us to see it, we saw (and something still do see) life the way WE want to see it. We forgot that God created the entire universe to help us find Him and live with Him. We forgot that the world doesn’t revolve around us, but God. Open Genesis and read it again, and you will see the tree that was so tempting to Eve was one of many trees that produced beautiful fruits to eat. (See Genesis 2.9) It wasn’t even the center of the Garden. The Tree of Life was in the center. Our ancestors’ eyes (and often our eyes) were looking at life all wrong.

Now that we have celebrated the wonderful Feast of Christmas and had our glorious celebration of Epiphany, it is our chance to repent, ‘to change the way WE look at life,’ and begin to look at the world through God’s eyes, rather than through our selfish motivations. Now is our chance to to focus on the kingdom that is at hand, rather than limiting our view to how we can conquer the world around us. Now is our chance to live with God, rather than hide from Him as our ancestors did in the Garden.

Adult Catechism

Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family,

Good Morning! I first would like to wish everyone good strength on the last few blessed days before we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Join us for our church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Today we will be speaking about the Ascension of our Lord. The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the fortieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. The Feast itself commemorates when, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and after blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascended into heaven.

It is in the Ascension resides the meaning and the fullness of Christ’s Resurrection.

The Lord did not rise to return to the ways of our human condition. Saint John Chrysostom said, “He was not always with them now, as He was before the Resurrection. He came and again disappeared, thus leading them on to higher conceptions. He no longer permitted them to continue in their former relationship toward Him, but took effectual measures to secure these two objects: That the fact of His Resurrection should be believed, and that He Himself should be ever after apprehended to be greater than man.” There was something new and unusual in His as Saint John Chrysostom continues, “It was not an open presence, but a certain testimony of the fact that He was present.” That is why the disciples were confused and frightened. Christ arose not in the same way as those who were restored to life before Him. Theirs was a resurrection for a time, and they returned to life in the same body, which was subject to death and corruption—returned to the previous mode of life. But Christ arose for ever, unto eternity. He arose in a body of glory, immortal and incorruptible. He arose, never to die.

Christ’s work on earth was accomplished. He had suffered, was dead and buried, and now rose. By His Resurrection He abolished and destroyed death, abolished the law of corruption, “and raised with Himself the whole race of Adam.” Christ has risen, and on this feast day he now He ascends to the Father, yet He does not “go away,” but abides with the faithful forever. For He raises the very earth with Him to heaven, and even higher than any heaven. God’s power, in the phrase of Saint John Chrysostom, “manifests itself not only in the Resurrection, but in something much stronger.” For as Mark 16:19 says, “He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God”

With Love in the Lord,

Rev. Fr. Sampson Kasapakis

Cathedral Listings

Memorials

8:15 AM Divine Liturgy (Greek)

Sevasti Kouremetis - 9 Days

Paul Stavropoulos - 40 Days

Maria Zoidis - 40 Days

Artemis (Andriotis) Kotis - 3 Months

Michalis (Georgios) Alesafis - 6 Months

Nickolaos Mandelos - 10 Years

11:00 AM Divine Liturgy (English)

Theodora Feell - 40 Days

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, Helen, Maria

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

Team 1

Anna Billiris

Karen Koulias

Mike Kouremetis

Charles Samarkos

James Shoemaker

Costos Sisois

Nick Vouvalis

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode

From on High did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Theophany Afterfeast in the 1st Mode

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

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

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

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

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

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Sunday after Epiphany
Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13

Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ· μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Sunday after Epiphany
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ᾿Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ ῾Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ ᾿Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. ᾿Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν· μετανοεῖτε· ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

Saints and Feasts

January 13

Sunday after Epiphany

January 13

The Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus

Saints Hermylus and Stratonicus contested for piety's sake during the reign of Licinius, in the year 314. Saint Hermylus was a deacon, and Stratonicus was his friend. For his confession of Christ, Hermylus was beaten so fiercely that his whole body was covered with wounds. Stratonicus, seeing him endure this and other torments that left him half dead, wept with grief for his friend. From this he was discovered to be a Christian, and when he had openly professed his Faith and had been beaten, he and Hermylus were cast into the Danube River, receiving the crown of martyrdom.

January 13

Maximos the Righteous of Kapsokalyvia, Mount Athos

January 13

Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

January 13

Hilary of Poitiers

The holy Hierarch Hilary was born of pagan parents in Gaul, and was trained in philosophy and rhetoric. At a time when paganism was still strong in Gaul, Saint Hilary understood the falsehood of polytheism, and became a Christian, and a great defender of his new Faith. About the year 350 he was ordained Bishop of Poitiers, when Arles and Milan were in the hands of the Arians and the Arian Constantius was sole Emperor. Like his contemporary Saint Athanasius, Saint Hilary's episcopate was one long struggle against the Arians. As bishop of Poitiers, Saint Hilary foresaw the future greatness of Martin (see Nov. 12), and attached him to himself. In 355, when required to agree to the condemnation of Saint Athanasius passed by the Council of Milan, Hilary wrote an epistle to Constantius convicting the wrongs done by the Arians and requesting, among other things, the restoration of the Orthodox bishops, including Athanasius. For this, Hilary was banished to Asia Minor, where he wrote his greatest work, On the Trinity. Saint Hilary returned to his see in 360, where Saint Martin sought him out again. It was this time that Saint Hilary blessed Martin to found a monastery near Poitiers, where Martin remained until being consecrated Bishop of Tours in 371. In his last years, Saint Hilary, strove for the deposition of Auxentius, the Arian Bishop of Milan, but by affecting an Orthodox confession Auxentius retained his see. Saint Hilary reposed in peace about the year 368. Auxentius died in 374 and was succeeded by Saint Ambrose, who continued Saint Hilary's battle against Arianism.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For as persons not even knowing where to put a step forward, so they sat, overtaken by the darkness.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Epistle to the Ephesians Ch. 13, 2nd century

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

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.

2019 Enrollment Pre-School

01/13/2019

Parish Bulletin Board

Master Calendar

St Nicholas Master Calendar

January 13 to January 20, 2019

Sunday, January 13

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

7:00AM Othros/Matins

8:15AM First Divine Liturgy

10:20AM Sunday School

10:30AM Adult Catechism

11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

1:00PM Philoptochos Membership Tea

6:30PM Women's Book Club

Monday, January 14

8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

4:30PM Greek Folk Dance Practice - Elementary School

5:00PM Byzantine Children's Choir

5:30PM Folk Music Ministry

6:30PM Greek Folk Dance Practice - Middle School

7:15PM Greek Folk Dance Practice - High School

7:30PM For Fun Dance Group

Tuesday, January 15

4:30PM Greek School

6:00PM Young Adult Open Gym

7:00PM Bible Study on Romans

7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 106

Wednesday, January 16

10:30AM Little Lambs

6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

7:00PM Greek Bible Study

7:00PM GOYA Night

7:30PM Sunday School Staff Meeting

Thursday, January 17

8:00AM Orthros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

10:00AM Women's Book Club

4:30PM Greek School

6:30PM Choir Practice

7:00PM Epiphany Evaluation Meeting

8:00PM Byzantine Choir

Friday, January 18

Hellenic Dance Festival

8:00AM Orthros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

Saturday, January 19

6:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, January 20

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

7:00AM Othros/Matins

8:15AM First Divine Liturgy

10:20AM Sunday School

10:30AM Adult Catechism

11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Dean's Message

Adult Catechism

Cathedral Listings

Memorials

Memorial & Artoklasia Service Planning

40 Day Prayer List

On Duty Council Members

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode

Apolytikion for Theophany Afterfeast in the 1st Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Saints and Feasts

Sunday after Epiphany

The Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus

Maximos the Righteous of Kapsokalyvia, Mount Athos

Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Hilary of Poitiers

Wisdom of the Fathers

A Moment with Our Ministries

Little Lambs

Philoptochos Christmas Card

Community Center Event Hosting

Stewardship Ministry

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

Letters of good standing, transcripts

2019 Enrollment Pre-School

01/13/2019

Parish Bulletin Board

Master Calendar

St Nicholas Master Calendar

January 13 to January 20, 2019