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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2020-12-06
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Allsaint
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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
7:45am - Matins / Όρθρος
9:00am - Divine Liturgy (Greek) / Θεία Λειτουργία / (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

Frathanasios-3

Don’t Allow Your ‘Christmas Preparations’ to Stop You from Preparing for Christmas

The so-called Christmas Season for many can be weeks of anxiety, guilt, gluttony,  depression, and all-around hectic atmosphere. Have you asked yourself why it has to be this way? The answer is simple yet profound. We normally spend the weeks leading up to Christmas shopping, cleaning, decorating, going over our ‘to do lists’ and in a constant state of panic that we won’t get everything accomplished in time for Christmas (at this point) a WHOLE TWO WEEKS away.

We’re never quite sure if we can get everything done, so when the Church asks us to spend EVEN MORE time reading Scriptures, coming to Church, helping the poor, and on top of all that,  the Church tells us we should be FASTING?! Is the Church kidding? You may even think the Church is “out of touch” with the reality of Christmas. And this doesn’t even begin to express the general atmosphere of exhaustion of Christmas Day when the Church ACTUALLY THINKS we can be in Church Christmas morning when we have ALL THAT cooking to do.

So what’s the answer?......S L O W D O W N!

MAKE TIME for prayer. Make time for reading Scripture. Make time for helping the poor. PLAN to fast. Tell some friends you can’t make their party Saturday night because you’re going to spend some quiet family time at Church. Schedule to have Holy Confession for Christmas. And when you are decorating your home for Christmas, don’t forget to include some Orthodox decorations like some Icons which will help you remember what you are actually preparing for.

The busy ‘preparations’ won’t prepare your soul. YOU have to do that! Something to think about during the remaining two weeks of the Christmas Fast.

 

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Message from Fr Simeon

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is easier to do good than it is to do evil. It is a lie of the evil one that it is easier to give up to his temptations. But there are two ways to do good, one way is on our own and the other way is with God. Since something broke when humanity fell in paradise, and again when we fell personally for the first time (I.e. when we commit our first sin), things do not work correctly as they should and thus it is extremely difficult to do good deeds on our own. Even when we do good, it is often done for the wrong reasons. We may want the praise of others, to look good in the eye's of others. But in this Saturday's Gospel, according to Apostle Matthew, it explains how we are to do good the correct way, the way to do good that is much easier.

When two oxen are yoked together and then put to work then both creatures share the burden. A yoke, as you may know, is a wooden wooden crossbeam that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull. Thus the work is easier for both animals as they share the burden.

The Lord says in Saturday's Gospel according to Matthew, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." If we are yoked together with Christ, then the burden is very light indeed. Being yoked with Christ is like having two engines in your car, one taken from a high performance sports car and the other perhaps a simple four cylinder engine with no fancy features. One engine is clearly more powerful than the other. It is the same with Christ, when we are yoked to Him and to Him alone we give the glory, then amazing things happen. When we try to do everything on our own, egotistically and self-centered, then we remove the yoke from Christ and it is lopsided and we are unprepared to deal, in a spiritually healthy manner, many circumstances that come our way.

How do we yoke ourselves to Christ? We are yoked to Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. How then do we work with Christ wth in this context of being yoked to Christ in Baptism? By continual participation in the Sacraments and then living the ascetical life. The ascetical life is the keeping of the commandments of Christ. The Greek word ἄσκησις means exercise. We spiritually exercise by doing good (prayer, fasting, giving of alms and doing good for others) but we receive the Grace, the Power to do so by our participation in the Sacraments.

Another way of looking at things is like having a drill that isn't plugged into an electrical socket. Trying to get work done with that drill is pretty much impossible, unless it is plugged in. It is the same with us, we need to be plugged into Christ. If we are yoked to Christ, who is the God who created all things, then nothing is impossible if we work with Him, then we are continually connected to His inexhaustible Grace, His Uncreated Energies that power our souls and heal them to do good.

May Christ heal us so that we work with Him for our salvation and the salvation of others!

In Christ,

Fr. Simeon Pardalis, FrSimeon@StNicholasTarpon.org

 

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
December 06

Nicholas the New Martyr of Asia Minor


Nicholas
December 06

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra

This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.


Bowedwoman
December 06

10th Sunday of Luke


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Cathedral Listings

Memorials

Saturday - December 5

Hristos Antoniou - 9 days

 Sunday - December 6

 Eleni Christopoulou - 9 days

 Vasili Makryllos - 9 days

 Alkioni Peroulakis - 6 months

 Stavros Kouromichelakis - 1 year

 

 ST NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL REOPENS FOR PRAYER TUESDAY THRU FRIDAY FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

 All ministries wishing to sign up and host the Coffee Hour, please contact Chris Palaidis at 727-808-3895, once the hall reopens.

 

St. Nicholas Kitchen will continue preparing the Monday meals from 7:30 – 11:00 am. The meals will be delivered to the new Hope Center at the Sheppard center where the meals will be given to those in need by their and our volunteers. We will still need volunteers, food and monetary donations. Meals will be served from 11:00 – 12:00 pm. For further information, please call Chris Palaidis at (727) 808-3895.  

 

MAKE AN OFFERING OF OIL - Following the ancient tradition of the Temple as commanded by God, Orthodox Christians bring an offering of olive oil to be continually burned in the Church lamps, serving as a reminder of the presence of the Light of God. We invite anyone to make an offering of oil to the Church along with the names of loved ones & friends who are alive in the Lord, or alive with us on Earth, so that we may pray for you, your family and friends.

 

  *THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY 5PM FOR ALL BULLETIN INFORMATION*

                        

 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

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

Theodore, Anastasia, Antonia, Dean, Kyriaki, Dennis, Braden, David, Kathy, John, Gerasimos, Katerina, Pantelis, Laura, Vera, Evangelia, Mike, Kalliope, Colleen

 

 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.
If you are in spiritual need, Father Athanasios wants to make himself available to you and asks you to please call/text or email him directly rather than through social media.
 

On Duty Council Members 

 2020 St. Nicholas Parish Council Pangari Rotation Schedule:

 

As of Saturday 12/5/2020, our new Saturday rotation begins. (See schedule below)

Great Vespers, Saturday, 12/5/2020, need PC members to be on duty.

 

As of Sunday, 12/6/2020, all PC members are on duty every Sunday through Sunday 1/10/2021, if not listed to work on the preceding Saturday.

 

**Reminder:  Sunday, 12/6/2020, St. Nicholas Feast Day and Wednesday, 1/6/2021, Epiphany, all PC members are needed on duty.

 

Saturday, 12/5/2020

Anna Billiris

Costas Sisois

Emmanuel Gombos

Solon Tsaoussis

 

Saturday, 12/12/2020

John Stamas

Johnny Billiris

Niko Conkel

George Stamas

 

Saturday, 12/19/2020

James Shoemaker

Tony Zaronias

Rena Faklis

Michael Kouremetis

 

Saturday, 12/26/2020

Anna Billiris

Niko Conkel

Emmanuel Gombos

Solon Tsaoussis

 

Saturday, 1/2/2021

John Stamas

Johnny Billiris

Michael Kouremetis

Tony Zaronias

 

Saturday, 1/9/2021

Anna Billiris

Costas Sisois

Emmanuel Gombos

Solon Tsaoussis

  

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Mode

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Nicholas the Wonderworker in the 4th Mode

The truth of your manner of life manifested you to your flock as a rule of faith and an icon of gentleness and a teacher of self-control. By humility, therefore, you acquired the things on high, and riches through poverty. Father Holy Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, entreating that our souls be saved.
Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

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

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 13:17-21

Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 13:17-21

Ἀδελφοί, πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε· αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες· ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσιν, καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες· ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο. Προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν· πεποίθαμεν γὰρ ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν, ἐν πᾶσιν καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι. Περισσοτέρως δὲ παρακαλῶ τοῦτο ποιῆσαι, ἵνα τάχιον ἀποκατασταθῶ ὑμῖν. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης, ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ νεκρῶν τὸν ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν ἐν αἵματι διαθήκης αἰωνίου, τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν, καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ποιῶν ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.


Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17

At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

10th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 13:10-17

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ῏Ην δὲ διδάσκων ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς προσεφώνησε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· γύναι, ἀπολέλυσαι τῆς ἀσθενείας σου· καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας· καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνωρθώθη καὶ ἐδόξαζε τὸν Θεόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀγανακτῶν ὅτι τῷ σαββάτῳ ἐθεράπευσεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, ἔλεγε τῷ ὄχλῳ· ἓξ ἡμέραι εἰσὶν ἐν αἷς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι· ἐν ταύταις οὖν ἐρχόμενοι θεραπεύεσθε, καὶ μὴ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος καὶ εἶπεν· ὑποκριτά, ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δέ, θυγατέρα ᾿Αβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου; καὶ ταῦτα λέγοντος αὐτοῦ κατῃσχύνοντο πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἔχαιρεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνδόξοις τοῖς γινομένοις ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

So great an evil is envy. For not against strangers only, but even against our own, is it ever warring.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 40 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

And yet here He speaks only; whereas elsewhere in many cases He heals by laying on of hands also. But nevertheless none of these things made them meek; rather, while the man was healed, they by his health became worse. For His desire indeed was to cure them before him, and He tried innumerable ways of healing, both by what He did in their presence, and by what He said: but since their malady after all was incurable, He proceeded to the work.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 40 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

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A Moment with Our Ministries

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. 

 

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.


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. 


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 6 to December 14, 2020

    Sunday, December 6

    10th Sunday of Luke

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Virtual Evening Prayers

    Monday, December 7

    Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    6:00PM Virtual Evening Prayers

    Tuesday, December 8

    Forefeast of the Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

    5:00PM Virtual Greek School

    6:00PM Virtual Evening Prayers

    7:00PM Bible Study on First Corinthians

    Wednesday, December 9

    The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

    8:00AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    7:00PM Men’s Virtual Book Club

    Thursday, December 10

    The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM Women's Virtual Book Club

    5:00PM Virtual Greek School

    6:00PM Virtual Evening Prayers

    6:30PM Choir Virtual Meeting

    7:00PM Parish Council

    Friday, December 11

    Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople

    6:00PM Virtual Evening Prayers

    Saturday, December 12

    Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous

    8:00AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Epiphany Divers Meeting

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, December 13

    11th Sunday of Luke

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Sunday School

    6:00PM Carols in the Cathedral

    Monday, December 14

    The Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, and Callinicus of Asia Minor, and Philemon, Apollonius, and Arian of Alexandria

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