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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2019-02-10
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Healcanaanitedaughter
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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

What do you really want from God?

When Jesus encountered the Canaanite Woman who had been asking for the healing of her daughter, His initial response was to ignore her. In fact, He tried twice to put her off, and not response even saying, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." (Matthew 15.26) but she was relentless in her call, “Lord have mercy on me!” Eventually her daughter was healed, as Christ honored her deep faith, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." (Matthew 15.28) We hear this Gospel every time we celebrate Holy Unction, and it always make me ponder the truth of being healed by God.

 

Some people say that Christ was belittling the woman by referring to little dogs, but is that what really is taking place? Could God ever belittle a woman asking for her daughter to be healed, especially when the healing is from demon possession? Certainly not! God is merciful and loving, so there must be something else taking place. The answer is in His ability to draw not on the woman, but the crowd into the dialogue. Even we are drawn in closer wondering what God will do in this case. We almost cheer for the woman when we hear that her daughter was healed at the very hour that Christ spoke to her.

 

Several years ago I was attending a workshop about hospital ministry when we were asked by a hospital chaplain, “Who would not pray for someone to be healed?” For me, the issue isn’t whether or not we pray for our family members and friends to be healed. We do, but WHY do we want them to be healed in the first place? In the dialogue with this woman, Christ was challenging her to consider what she really wanted from Him. Was her desire for her daughter to be healed pure enough to endure being put off by Christ not just once, but twice? Was her faith strong enough to hear that she was being compared to little puppy dogs? So deep was her faith, that she reminded Christ that she wasn’t asking for any special treatment, but a few “crumbs” of His attention.

 

When we approach Christ with our various litanies of requests, do we ever consider what we really desire from God? Are we patient enough for God to put us off after the first or second request? What if God says, “No?” Is our faith strong enough to be told that we aren’t special? Truth be told, we all eventually die and none of us is special. Nonetheless, Christ is willing to heal us from the demons that attack us. He is willing to sit with us, and comfort us when our family and friends are suffering. What He wants from us, is to know that we are willing to accept whatever He has to offer, even if just a few crumbs.

 

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Adult Catechism

Bulletin_builder_fr_sampson_pic_adult_cathecism

Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family,

 Good Morning! Last week we concluded our journey through the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church so it is time to begin our next series which will be on the Ecumenical Councils. Before we get into the Ecumenical Councils, I want us to look at how the “early Church” handled situations that arose to help guide the faithful.

 

Before the first Ecumenical Council in 325AD there were many local councils and the first of them was Council of Jerusalem which was around the year 50AD. We see this council within the Bible in the book of Acts Chapter 15. This council had to respond to a consultation by Paul of Tarsus. The apostles and elders of the Church in Jerusalem met to address the question of observance of biblical law in the early Christian community, which included Gentile converts. It was decided that moving onward Gentile Christians were not bound by the Levitical ceremonial regulations of the Jews, except for the provisions of the so-called apostolic decree: abstention “from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity.” (Acts 15:29).

  

This meeting of the Church in Jerusalem was not a gathering of representatives coming from all areas, like an ecumenical council. It is called the Apostolic Council, because of the participation in it of the apostles and it showed the willingness of apostolic leaders to make compromises on certain secondary issues in order to maintain peace and unity in the church. It is unique among the ancient pre-ecumenical councils in that it is considered to be a “prototype” of the future Ecumenical Councils. Between the Council of Jerusalem (50AD) to the first Ecumenical Council (325AD) the following local councils were held:

  

Council of Rome of 155

 

the Council of Rome of 193                            the Council of Ephesus of 193

 

the Council of Carthage of 251                       the Council of Iconium of 258[13]

 

the Council of Antioch of 264                         the Councils of Arabia of 246–247

 

the Synod of Elvira of 306                              the Council of Carthage of 311

 

the Synod of Neo-Caesarea of c. 314              the Synod of Ancyra of 314

 

the Synod of Arles of 314

 

 The councils began at a local level, but eventually they involved several communities together. Eventually, it became the practice to inform other communities of the decisions taken at such assemblies. Topics of these “pre-ecumenical” councils were: condemning skewing beliefs such as Montanism (belief in new prophetic revelations reliant on spontaneity of Holy Spirit) and Quartodecimanism (debate on the date of Passover/Pascha), laid down common rules to be observed by all the bishops of the area and rules for the surrounding Christian communities, the use of penances, discussion on clergy of the Church (such as forbidding Priests to ordain Deacons or Priests and for ordinations to be done by Bishops). This local councils established the need for more the future larger Ecumenical Councils. Next week we will discuss the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.

  

With Love in the Lord,

Rev. Fr. Sampson N. Kasapakis

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Cathedral Listings

Memorials

8:15 AM Divine Liturgy (Greek) 

 Vasiliki Bessie Kalabuokas - 40 Day

Athanasia Fragkou - 5 years

11:00 AM Divine Liturgy (English)

 

 

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

George, Kaliope, Angela, Sophia, Hercules, Elizabeth, Kyriaki, Kalegis, Nomiki, Eleni, Peter, Helen, Maria, Gabriel, Michael, Chrisovalandou, Anastasia, Evangelos, Philip,Irene, Nikitas

 

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

James Shoemaker

Niko Conkel

Themis Fountotos Tezza

Gus Tsambis

Charles Samarkos

Costas Sisois

Tony Zaronias

 

 

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Mode

When the tidings of the resurrection from the glorious angel was proclaimed unto the women disciples and our ancestral sentence also had been abolished to the Apostles with the boasting did they proclaim that death is vanquished ever more and Christ Our God has risen from the dead and granted to the world His great mercy.
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 Hieromartyr Haralambos in the 4th Mode

An unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ God art thou, an ever-resplendent lamp, O Haralampus most wise, which shineth through the earth; in martyric contest thou hast shined on the whole world, and thou hast dispelled the moonless night of the idols. Now boldly intercede thou with Christ that we may all be saved.
Ως στύλος ακλόνητος, τής Εκκλησίας Χριστού, καί λύχνος αείφωτος τής οικουμένης σοφέ, εδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, έλαμψας εν τώ κόσμω, διά τού μαρτυρίου, έλυσας τών ειδώλων, τήν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διό εν παρρησία Χριστώ, πρέσβευε σωθήναι ημας.

Apolytikion of the Church in the 4th Mode

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Hieromartyr Haralambos
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Hieromartyr Haralambos
Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 2:1-10

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, ἐνδυναμοῦ ἐν τῇ χάριτι τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Καὶ ἃ ἤκουσας παρʼ ἐμοῦ διὰ πολλῶν μαρτύρων, ταῦτα παράθου πιστοῖς ἀνθρώποις, οἵτινες ἱκανοὶ ἔσονται καὶ ἑτέρους διδάξαι. Σὺ οὖν κακοπάθησον ὡς καλὸς στρατιώτης Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Οὐδεὶς στρατευόμενος ἐμπλέκεται ταῖς τοῦ βίου πραγματείαις, ἵνα τῷ στρατολογήσαντι ἀρέσῃ. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀθλῇ τις, οὐ στεφανοῦται ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ. Τὸν κοπιῶντα γεωργὸν δεῖ πρῶτον τῶν καρπῶν μεταλαμβάνειν. Νόει ἃ λέγω· δῴη γάρ σοι ὁ κύριος σύνεσιν ἐν πᾶσιν. Μνημόνευε Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐγηγερμένον ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυίδ, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου· ἐν ᾧ κακοπαθῶ μέχρι δεσμῶν, ὡς κακοῦργος· ἀλλʼ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ οὐ δέδεται. Διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσιν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Sunday of the Canaanite
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 15:21-28

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξελθὼν ἐκεῖθεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἐκραύγαζεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα· ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες· ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου ᾿Ισραήλ. ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· οὐκ ἔστι καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. ἡ δὲ εἶπε· ναί, Κύριε· καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψυχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ· ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις! γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. καὶ ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.


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Saints and Feasts

Healcanaanitedaughter
February 10

Sunday of the Canaanite


10_charalambos1
February 10

Hieromartyr Haralambos

This Saint was a priest of the Christians in Magnesia, the foremost city of Thessaly, in the diocese having the same name. He contested during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. At the time of his martyrdom the Saint was 103 years of age.

St. Haralampus is commemorated on February 10th, with the exception when this date falls on the Saturday of the Souls preceding Lent or on Clean Monday (the first day of Lent), in which case the feast is celebrated on February 9th.


Allsaint
February 10

Anastasios, Patriarch of Jerusalem


Allsaint
February 10

Porphyrios & Baptos the Monk-martyrs


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Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations
Saint Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

He kept her waiting for an answer in order to declare that the minds of His disciples should also be merciful. As human beings they were ashamed of the clamor of the woman as she pursued them publicly, but He Himself knew the character of His mercy.
St. Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216

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A Moment with Our Ministries

Little Lambs

Little Lambs Flyer


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.


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


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Parish Bulletin Board

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Master Calendar

  • St Nicholas Master Calendar

    February 10 to February 18, 2019

    Sunday, February 10

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

    Sunday of the Canaanite

    7:00AM Othros/Matins

    8:15AM First Divine Liturgy

    10:20AM Sunday School

    10:30AM Adult Catechism

    11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

    Monday, February 11

    Blaise the Holy Martyr of Sebastia

    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

    7:30PM For Fun Dance Group

    Tuesday, February 12

    Tuesday of Publican and Pharisee

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Young Adult Open Gym

    7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 106

    7:00PM Bible Study

    Wednesday, February 13

    Wednesday of Publican and Pharisee

    10:30AM Little Lambs

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    7:00PM Greek Bible Study

    7:00PM GOYA Night

    8:00PM Young Adult Bible Study

    Thursday, February 14

    Thursday of Publican and Pharisee

    9:30AM Women's Book Club

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:30PM Choir Practice

    8:00PM Byzantine Choir

    Friday, February 15

    Friday of Publican and Pharisee

    7:00AM Philoptochos baking

    Saturday, February 16

    Saturday of Publican and Pharisee

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, February 17

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

    Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

    7:00AM Othros/Matins

    8:15AM First Divine Liturgy

    10:20AM Sunday School

    10:30AM Adult Catechism

    11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

    6:30PM Women's Book Club

    Monday, February 18

    Monday of Prodigal Son

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