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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2021-01-03
Bulletin Contents
Baptism
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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

 This week is the week that everyone focuses on improving something about life in the New Year. As clocks hit midnight all across the globe last week, good intentioned men and women rushed to confirm New Year resolutions. Of course many if not most if not all New Year resolutions end up in the garbage pail by the end of the first week of the New Year, but that didn’t stop millions across the globe for faithfully committing to improving their life this year. By no means am I against New Year resolutions. It is just that we waste so much time making resolutions about things that ultimately don’t matter. Some common resolutions are:

 

  1. Exercise more

  2. Lose weight

  3. Get organized

  4. Learn a new skill or hobby 

  5. Live life to the fullest

  6. Save more money / spend less money

  7. Quit smoking

  8. Spend more time with family and friends

  9. Travel more

  10. Read more

 

It isn’t that these issues are necessarily bad for us. In fact there is most definitely a spiritual side to every issue listed, but I’m not sure most people want to “get out of debt” for the sake of their soul. I could be wrong. I’ll be the first to admit people surprise me every day with better intentions that I would have presumed. That being said however, in the constant drive to build bigger economies and own more things, I suspect people are trying to get out of debt in order to “eventually” own more, or at least have more to spend later. Especially having just completed a “Corona Year” when so much of our everyday routines became privileges, looking deeper than the typical resolutions is not only preferable, maybe it is now more understandable. How about considering this list for 2021?

 

  1. Read the Bible more

  2. Fast more

  3. Pray more

  4. Serve the poor more

  5. Receive Holy Communion more

  6. Go to Holy Confession more

  7. Attend Divine Liturgy more

  8. Attend other Church services more

  9. Incorporate the Cathedral schedule into my family calendar

  10. Consider the needs of the Cathedral when I plan my finances

 

May 2021 be blessed for you, your family and our Cathedral Community!

 

 

 

 

 

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Message from Fr Simeon

 St. John the Baptist and Forerunner came out of the Wilderness of the Holy Land preaching that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. We should look at this prophetic statement carefully. He does not say that the Messiah or Christ is coming. He does not say that the King of Israel was born and has now reached the age of maturity (which at that time was considered roughly about 33 years of age). He says the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. In the Gospels the phrases Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are used interchangeably, with Heaven as sort of reverent substitute for the word God as there is still to this day a Jewish avoidance to saying anything that resembles the name of God (Even today the word God is written by some Rabbis today as "G-D" out of reverence). It is interesting to note that the word in Greek βασιλεία that is translated as Kingdom here is universally agreed on by Biblical Scholars and many Orthodox Christian Theologians does not in fact mean Kingdom but is a noun meaning the reign or rule of a Ruler. In the New Testament, there is a divergence in terms of choice by the Gospel Writers and the Epistle Writers. St. Paul used the term Χάρις and the Gospel Writers use βασιλεία, but they are both speaking about the same thing: The Divine Uncreated Ruling Energy of God which Christ gives freely to us as a Gift as long as we are prepared to see it with the Eyes of our Heart.

 

Matthew 5:8 says Blessed are they who are pure in Heart for they shall see God. St. John the Theologian is no exception to this, as a Prophet he is pure in heart and thus sees God. He knows full well who the Messiah really is, he remembers deep in his Heart that when his mother Elizabeth was visited by her cousin the Virgin Mary, he leaped in his mother's womb (Luke 1:41). He leaped because he saw God in the womb of the Virgin Mary the Theotokos. In the narrative of Saturday's Gospel, he is a grown man who is a Prophet who sees God regularly.

 

He sees the God who has become Man in Jesus Christ, in his prophetic visions of God. So with Christ about to begin His Earthly Ministry, He sees the Divine Uncreated Ruling Energy of God, the βασιλεία (which is a part of God-- God is both Essence and Energy), coming. He sees that Christ is God working to bring the Tongues of Fire of Pentecost, which is this same Ruling Energy of God, into the world (Luke 12:49). Therefore St. John says repent for the Rule of Heaven (God) is at hand. It is not a shock to St. John who Christ is, but it will be a shock that God Himself is asking to be baptized by Him (Matthew 3:14). He does not expect to be asked by Christ God to be baptized but He does expect that God is bringing His Light, His Uncreated Ruling Energy into the World (John 1:6-10).

 

May the Light of God, God’s Uncreated Ruling Energy His Grace, that St. John the Baptist would see in His Prophetic Visions, that the Apostles received at Pentecost, that we received at our Baptisms, also come and enlighten us!

 

 

 

Fr. Simeon Pardalis

 

 

 

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Saints and Feasts

Baptism
January 03

Sunday before Epiphany


Allsaint
January 03

Malachi the Prophet

The Prophet Malachi ("messenger of God") is the last of the twelve minor Prophets, and also of all the Prophets of the Old Testament. He prophesied in the days of Nehemias, a wise man among the Jews, who also held a high and powerful position in the court of Artaxerxes the Long-armed, King of the Persians, who reigned from 465 to 424 B.C. Malachis' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters; he foretold the coming of Christ as the Sun of Righteousness (4:2)


Gordios
January 03

Gordios the Martyr of Caesarea

The Martyr Gordios who was from Caesarea of Cappadocia, was a centurion by rank. Unable to bear the impiety of the heathen, he withdrew to the wilderness to purify himself through prayer and fasting. After he perceived that his ascetical training had prepared him sufficiently, he came down from the mountains when a certain pagan festival was held in Caesarea, attended by all, and presented himself before the multitude. Although the spectacles of the festival continued, no one paid them any heed, but all eyes were turned upon him. From his sojourn in the mountains, his look was wild, his beard was long, his raiment squalid, his body like a skeleton; yet a certain grace shone round about him. He was recognized, and a loud shout and tumult was made as his fellow Christians rejoiced, and the enemies of the truth cried out for his death. He boldly professed his faith before the Governor, and after torments was beheaded, in the reign of Licinius in the year 314. Saint Basil the Great delivered a homily on Saint Gordios, mentioning that some of those in his audience had been present at the saint's martyrdom (PG 31:497).


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Cathedral Listings

Memorials

 Sunday - December 20

Vasileos Demetropoulos - 40 Days

Anna Frangopoulos - 1 year

Aristeides Chaderes - 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

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

 

 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)

 

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, 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 Plagal 1st Mode

Let us the faithful give praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for of His own goodwill he consented to ascend the cross in the flesh and endured death and raised the dead by His 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 Theophany in the 4th Mode

Be thou ready, Zabulon; prepare thyself, O Nephthalim. River Jordan, stay thy course and skip for gladness to receive the Sovereign Master, Who cometh now to be baptized. O Adam, be thou glad with our first mother, Eve; hide not as ye did of old in Paradise. Seeing you naked, He hath appeared now to clothe you in the first robe again. Christ hath appeared, for He truly willeth to renew all creation.
Ἑτοιμάζου Ζαβουλῶν, καὶ εὐτρεπίζου Νεφθαλείμ. Ἰορδάνη ποταμέ, στήθι ὑπόδεξαι σκιρτῶν, τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ἐρχόμενον τὸν Δεσπότην. Ἀγάλλου ὁ Ἀδὰμ σὺν τὴ Προμήτορι, μὴ κρύπτετε ἑαυτούς, ὡς ἐν Παραδείσῳ τὸ πρίν, καὶ γὰρ γυμνοὺς ἰδὼν ὑμᾶς ἐπέφανεν, ἵνα ἐνδύσῃ τὴν πρώτην στολήν, Χριστὸς ἐφάνη, τὴν πᾶσαν κτίσιν, θέλων ἀνακαινίσαι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.
Ἐν τοῖς ῥείθροις σήμερον τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, γεγονῶς ὁ Κύριος, τῶ Ἰωάννη ἐκβοᾷ. Μὴ δειλιάσης βαπτίσαι με, σῶσαι γὰρ ἥκω, Ἀδὰμ τὸν πρωτόπλαστον.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8

TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Sunday before Epiphany
Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 4:5-8

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα· λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής· οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Sunday before Epiphany
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 1:1-8

᾿Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ῾Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου· φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ, ἐγένετο ᾿Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ ᾿Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ ῾Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ ᾿Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων· ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ· ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι ῾Αγίῳ.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is the sole and peculiar property of the Substance that transcends all, to be able to bestow on men the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and make those that draw near unto It partakers of the divine nature.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 10., 4th Century

But this exists in Christ, not as a thing received, nor by communication from another, but as His own, and as belonging to His substance, for He baptizes in the Holy Spirit.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 10., 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. 


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