Dean's Message

Mercy, Justice, or Both?

Today we begin our annual great journey to Pascha. To send us off on the correct path for our salvation, the Church recalls the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. If we are able to hear this parable with humility and an open mind, only then will the journey before us be of any value.

The story should be familiar to us. One sinner and one supposedly religious man both go to Church. Both pray, but only one returns home justified. As the story reveals to us, it is only when we accept our own sinfulness, that we can be justified. If, on the other hand, we exalt ourselves as better than any other person on the journey to heaven, we will find ourselves sorely mistaken. It won’t matter how much good we have done, nor will it matter what rules we have followed. If we exalt ourselves, we will lose.

In ten weeks, we will gather in the Cathedral to celebrate the Great Feast of Feasts. It will thankfully be a different celebration than last year. It won’t only be the pandemic that has changed Pascha, but if we are willing to hear today’s Gospel, it will be a celebration of joy and justification. If we are willing to evaluate ourselves, and accept our own sinfulness, the next ten weeks will be a journey of discovery and repentance.

We will discover, as the Gospel today attempts to teach us, that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy. We will discover that justice from God is not different from mercy, because God is love. It was the sinner who returned home justified when he wept over his sins. Mercy isn’t as simple as not being punished. Mercy includes God’s loving embrace and comfort that His love is never ending. Nothing we can do will ever take that love away.

Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to look into your heart. Evaluate your life. Acknowledge that you, like me, are a sinner in need of God’s loving mercy. Forget about the sins in others. Forget about whether you follow more rules than the others. It won’t matter unless you can accept your sinfulness and repent. The next ten weeks are for your repentance. Join the Church on this great journey, and you will return home to heaven justified.

Message from Fr Simeon

Spiritual Justice, Healing through Prayer and Faith

Saturday’s Gospel reading reveals to us one of these many aspects of prayer; which is that even after we have asked God repeatedly for something and for a long time and do not receive it, we must not lose our trust in God. We must undeterred continue to pray. We must trust that God will never abandon us, He tells us in John 14:18 that He will never leave us as orphans. If, in Saturday’s Gospel, the Widow received justice by essentially being annoying to the Unjust Judge, how much more will our Just and Righteous God do for us if we keep constantly praying to Him?

In fact, Apostle Paul urges us to pray unceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We must trust that God will answer our prayers and ultimately, He will what is best for us. We need to pray as reaching out to God constantly through prayer is therapeutic for our souls. Prayer is a two-way conversation but, because in our spiritually unhealthy state, we cannot hear or see the Lord. Matthew 5:8 states that blessed are those who are pure (spiritually healthy) in heart, they shall see God. Therefore, this is why we should pray the prayers that the Church Fathers have set for us as it puts us on the path towards spiritually healing and recovery so we can become pure in heart. It would be good to pray some of the Morning Prayers from an Orthodox Prayer book each morning and the Evening Prayers (or the longer Service of Small Compline) each evening with our families. These prayers, combined with the “Jesus Prayers” whenever we have a free moment (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have Mercy on Me”) are therapeutic for our souls. It is not wrong to ask God for things that are good for us or for things that we need but this is not the primary and only function of prayer—the primary function of prayer is therapy for our souls, especially when combined with the Sacramental Life of the Church.

May our Christ our True God grant us true Spiritual Health through the Sacramental Life of the Church and through Prayer. Amen.

Fr. Simeon

Saints and Feasts

February 21

John III, Patriarch of Constantinople

February 21

Zachariah, Patriarch of Jerusalem

February 21

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

February 21

Timothy the Righteous

Saint Timothy took up the monastic life from his youth, became a vessel of the Holy Spirit, and reposed in deep old age.

February 21

Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch

Saint Eustathius, the great defender of piety and illustrious opponent of Arianism, was from Side in Pamphylia. He became Bishop of Beroea (the present-day Aleppo), and in 325 was present at the First Ecumenical Council. From thence he was transferred to the throne of Antioch. But Saint Constantine the Great, led astray by the slanders directed against the Saint by the Arians, banished him to Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he reposed in 337, according to some. Others say he lived until 360.

Cathedral Listings

Memorials

Saturday - February 20

Kalegis Spirides - 9 Months

Afroditi Mouhourtis - 9 Day

Sunday - February 21

Penny Panigiotis Ionnides - 6 Months

Irene Koutelas - 9 Months

Nickoloas Sapountsis - 3 Years

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, Mike, Kalliope, Colleen,Kaysea, Rick, Dianne, Themelina, Mike, George, Anna

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.

Parish Council Pangari Rotation Schedule

As of Saturday 02/06/2021, our new Saturday rotation begins. (See schedule below)

As of Sunday, 02/07/2021, all PC members are on duty every Sunday through Sunday 02/28/2021, if not listed to work on the preceding Saturday

Saturday, 02/20/2021, Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Anna Billiris

Costas Sisois

Irene Karavokiros

Solon Tsaoussis

Michael Kouremetis

Saturday, 02/27/2021, Divine Liturgy, 9 am

John Stamas

Irene Karavokiros

Emmanuel Gombos

George Stamas

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Mode

The women disciples of the Lord, having learned from the Angel the joyous news of the Resurrection and having rejected the ancestral decision, then told the apostles elatedly: Death has been stripped of its power; Christ God has risen, granting 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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."

Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.

Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.

St. John Chrysostom

AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.

St. John Chrysostom

CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

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

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.