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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2022-04-03
Bulletin Contents
Climicus
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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

Monday through Saturday

6:00 pm Small Compline


Past Bulletins


Dean's Message

Frathanasios-3

It’s Not About Being Perfect, It’s About Becoming Perfect

 

In the Gospel of Mark we hear of a father who brought his son to Jesus for healing because the Apostles were unable to heal him. He called to Jesus, “’If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” (Mark 9.22-24) 

 

Do you see how simple the Lord is? He doesn’t expect long theological explanations about death and faith and the resurrection. He doesn’t even expect the man to be perfect in his belief. The father’s doubt was obvious since I’m sure he had visited many doctors and nobody, not even the Apostles, could help his son. Although he had lost just about all hope, he held on long enough and had just enough faith to come to Jesus and confess his weakness, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And then his son was healed.

 

My brothers and sisters, the Lord does not expect us to have perfect faith, since we are not perfect. What He wants from us is enough faith to know our weakness and to confess to Him that we are dependent upon Him for help. There will be times when the struggles of life will seem to be beyond our abilities. It is just then that we must run to Christ, confess our faith in Him, and believe just enough that He can help us, and He will.

 

Sometimes the help comes in ways we cannot understand while other times the help is bold and obvious to all. Someday we will all be with the Lord in heaven and then our faith will be perfect. Until then, we continue to struggle and hope in the Lord’s wisdom and power.

 

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Fr Theofanis

Frtheofani3g

Πνεῦμα δέ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, 

ὑπομονῆς καί ἀγάπης  χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

 

Ἡ Δ’ Κυριακή των Νηστειών σήμερα καί ἡ Ἐκκλησία μας ἔχει ὁρίσει νά τιμούμε τόν Ὅσιο Ἰωάννη τόν Σιναΐτη, Ἡγούμενο τῆς Ἱεράς Μονῆς τῆς Ἁγίας Αἰκατερίνης στό Σινά καί συγγραφέα τοῦ ἀσκητικού βιβλίου της  Κλίμακος, ὁ ὁποῖος ἔζησε τόν 6ο αἰῶνα μ.Χ.

    Κατά τήν διάρκεια της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής καί σέ ὅλες τίς Ἱερές Ἀκολουθίες ἀπαγγέλουμε τήν εὐχή του Ἁγίου Ἐφραίμ του Σύρου. Στήν προσευχή αὐτή, μεταξύ ἄλλων, ζητοῦμε ἀπό τόν Κύριο νά μᾶς χαρίσει «πνεῦμα ταπεινοφροσύνης».

 Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Σιναΐτης, στό 25ο Κεφάλαιο τῆς Κλίμακος, μιλάει ἀκριβῶς γιά τήν ἀρετή τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης, γιά τήν ὁποία λέγει ὅτι εἶναι θεϊκή σκέπη πού σκεπάζει τούς ὀφθαλμούς μας, γιά νά μή βλέπουμε τά κατορθώματά μας. Εἶναι ἀκόμα ἄβυσσος εὐτελείας, ἀπρόσβλητη ἀπό κάθε κλέπτη. Ἡ ταπείνωση εἶναι ἡ πύλη τῆς οὐρανίου Βασιλείας, πού εἰσάγει σ’ αὐτήν ὅσους τήν πλησιάζουν.

     Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωάννης μᾶς λέγει, ὅτι ἐκεῖνος, πού ἀγωνίζεται νά φτάσει στό ἀκύμαντο λιμάνι τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης, δέν θά παύσει ποτέ νά χρησιμοποιεῖ διαφόρους τρόπους καί σκέψεις καί ἐπινοήσεις καί τεχνάσματα καί προσευχές, μέχρις ὅτου ἀπομακρύνει τό σκάφος τῆς ψυχῆς του ἀπό τήν τρικυμιώδη θάλασσα τῆς ὑπερηφανείας.

     Μερικοί, λέγει, παρ’ ὅλον ὅτι συγχωρέθηκαν γιά τά παλαιά τους ἁμαρτήματα, ἐν τούτοις τά θυμοῦνται μέχρι τό τέλος τῆς ζωῆς τους, χρησιμοποιώντας αὐτά ὡς ἀφορμή ταπεινοφροσύνης. Ἄλλοι, ἀναλογιζόμενοι τό Πάθος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, θεωροῦν πάντοτε τόν ἑαυτό τους χρεώστη. Ἄλλοι ἐξευτελίζουν τόν ἑαυτό τους μέ τά καθημερινά τους σφάλματα. Ἄλλοι κατέρριψαν στό ἔδαφος τήν ὑπερηφάνεια μέ τούς πειρασμούς καί τίς ἀσθένειες, πού κατά καιρούς τούς συνέβησαν. Καί ἄλλοι τέλος ἀπό τήν ἔλλειψη χαρισμάτων ἀπέκτησαν τήν μητέρα τῶν χαρισμάτων, δηλαδή τήν ταπείνωση.

     Λέγει, ἀκόμα, ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωάννης, ὅτι σέ κάποιον ἀγωνιστή πού προσπαθοῦσε νά κατακτήσει τήν μακαρία ταπείνωση, οἱ ἀνόσιοι δαίμονες ἔσπερναν ἐπαίνους στήν καρδιά του. Τί κάνει, λοιπόν, ὁ μακάριος ἐκεῖνος Μοναχός; Σηκώνεται ἀμέσως καί γράφει στόν τοῖχο τοῦ κελλιοῦ του τα ὀνόματα τῶν πλέον ὑψηλῶν ἀρετῶν, δηλαδή τῆς τελείας ἀγάπης, τῆς ἀγγελικῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης, τῆς καθαρᾶς προσευχῆς, τῆς ἀφθάρτου ἁγνότητος καί τῶν παρομοίων. Κάθε φορά, λοιπόν, πού τόν ἐπαινοῦσαν οἱ λογισμοί, τούς ἔλεγε: «Ἄς πᾶμε νά κάνουμε τόν ἔλεγχο». Πλησιάζοντας δέ στόν τοῖχο διάβαζε τά ὀνόματα τῶν ἀρετῶν καί ἀπευθυνόμενος στόν ἑαυτό του ἐκραύγαζε: «Ὅταν ἀποκτήσεις αὐτές τίς ἀρετές, ἄς γνωρίζεις ὅτι ἀκόμα εὑρίσκεσαι μακριά ἀπό τόν Θεό».

     Γι’ αὐτό ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωάννης μᾶς παροτρύνει νά βιαστοῦμε καί μέ ὅλες τίς δυνάμεις μας νά ἀνεβοῦμε στήν κεφαλή καί κορυφή τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης. Ἄν δέν μποροῦμε αὐτό, ἄς ἀνεβοῦμε τοὐλάχιστον στούς ὤμους της. Ἄν καί αὐτό δέν μποροῦμε νά τό κατορθώσουμε, ἄς μήν χάσουμε τοὐλάχιστον τήν ἀγκαλιά της. Διότι, ὅποιος τήν χάσει καί αὐτή, ἀπορῶ, λέγει, ἄν θά μπορέσει νά κερδίσει τήν αἰωνιότητα.

 

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Saints and Feasts

Climicus
April 03

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.


Allsaint
April 03

Theodosia and Irene the Martyrs


Allsaint
April 03

Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

Saint Nicetas lived in the eighth century and became the Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium, which was near the city of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara. For his Orthodox confession of the veneration of the holy icons, he was persecuted and exiled twice by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian, but recalled by Michael the Stutterer, and reposed, adorned with the twofold crown of holiness and of confession of the Orthodox Faith, about the year 824.


Allsaint
April 03

Joseph the Hymnographer

Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.


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Cathedral Listings

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

MEMORIALS

Evangelos Nomikos - 40 days; Constantinos Makris - 8 years 

Katina Alesafis - 3 months

William "Vasili" Costas - 1 year

John Tsaousis - 2 years

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

 

                              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

Afrodity Tassopoulos (727) 674-3304

*Contact info for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement.

40 Day Prayer List

Alexandra, Panayiotis, Charles, Katerina, Rick, Helen, Alexandros, Nikos, Golfo, Katerina, Vasiliki, Nikos, Doukissa

 

*To add a loved one to this list, or to keep one from being taken off after 40 days, please contact our Denise on Mondays by 5:00 pm: denise@stnicholastarpon.org  (727) 937-3540.

 

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."

 

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 Theofanis (727) 244-6842.

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.
 
 

2022 St. Nicholas Parish Council Pangari Rotation Sunday Schedule
February 6, 2022 – July 31, 2022


PC Teams for rotation begins Sunday, 2/6/2022 with Team 2 on Duty
**President and 1st Vice President are listed on a team, although they are there to respond to parishioner questions/concerns

**Both PC Teams on duty on Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 17, 2022

PC Holy Week Schedule to be sent March, 2022 to include Pascha, April 24, 2022

February 13, 27; March 13, 27; April 10, **17; May 8, 22; June 5, 19; July 3, 17, 31

Team 1:
Solon Tsaoussis
Anna Billiris **
Themis Fountotos Tezza
Karen Koulias
Jon Michael Lelekis
John Lulias
Tony Zaronias


February 6, 20; March 6, 20; April 3, **17; May 1, 15, 29; June 12, 26; July 10, 24

Team 2:
John Stamas
Nikitas Manias **
Rena Faklis
Emmanuel Gombos
Costas Sisois
Harry Andropoulos
Dean Prodromitis


Currently there is no Counting Team on Sundays
-if this should change, a Counting Schedule will be sent

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode

From on high You descended, Most Merciful; for us You condescended to a threeday burial to set us free from the passions. O Lord, our Resurrection and our Life, glory to You!
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal 4th Mode

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Ιωάννη Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode

To you, defender and commander in a time of war, I, your City, offer gratitude for victory, for you rescued me from suff'rings, O Theotokos. Since the power you possess is unassailable, from all dangers I entreat you to deliver me, that I may cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Sunday of St. John Climacus
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20

Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

Sunday of St. John Climacus
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 9:17-31

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fasting? ... See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought, and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

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Important Updates From Our Ministries

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

Philoptochos Circle Logo

 ST NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS

 Hours of Operation
Mon: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wed-Fri: 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.


St Nicholas Welcome Ministry

Are you ready to make a difference in our church this New Year?


Are you short of time, but big on wanting to serve God in a meaningful way?


Do you enjoy and care about people and are committed to your Orthodox faith?

Come and be part of the Welcome Ministry as a Greeter or an Usher. All you need is a few Sunday mornings a month, a ready smile and a servant’s heart.

If you would like to know more about volunteering at St Nicholas Cathedral please contact Lexa Shontz at lexashontz@gmail.com or cell (727) 418-4811.


St Nicholas Kitchen

Saint Nicholas Kitchen is an outreach ministry of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral that provides hot meals, helping hands and meaningful relationships to the impoverished in our community. The heart for this ministry is illustrated in the book of Matthew 25:35-36:

 “….For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me….”

St. Nicholas Kitchen will continue preparing the Monday meals from 7:30 – 11:00 am. The meals will be delivered Monday's 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 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.

 


St Nicholas Sunday School Ministry

Join us for lessons grades K-5 every Sunday at 10:30 am. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

     Facebook: @stnicholasgreekorthodoxsundayschool


St Nicholas 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 all 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

04/18/2021

What Stewardship Means to Me

Dr Michael Pikos is a member of the St Nicholas Cathedral Stewardship Committee 

When I think of the word stewardship in connection with our church, I think of this as being our ultimate calling as followers of Christ. We only have to look at Genesis 1:28 where God gave His first directive to Adam and Eve – that they have “dominion over every living thing that moves on earth”. And I am reminded that in reality God owns everything on earth including all that each of us own – Psalm 24:1 (“the earth is the Lord’s, and all it’s fullness. The world and those who dwell therein”)

 So if our Lord is the owner then I am not. Instead, I am His steward or manager. And that to me means being a steward of my time, talents, family, work, etc. I see this as both an awesome honor and responsibility for all aspects of my life. As a result, I feel most blessed to know that a true understanding of biblical stewardship has allowed me to have a spiritual base as to my perspective with regard to my family, my work, all relationships and especially with my church. It has given me the understanding to realize that a huge level of commitment is necessary with all of my relationships, especially that with our Lord. That said, I am most grateful for everything that I have including all of my material items.

 I had the good blessing of being raised in one household with both my parents and maternal grandparents for the first 10 years of my life in Campbell, Ohio. I watched my parents, grandparents and so many other parishioners who gave of their time and talents in building our church (Archangel Michael) and maintaining it. There was a true sense of stewardship among all of our parishioners. Whatever was needed was done, and with a strong sense of humility, servant mentality, and selfless attitude. This left a strong impression in my mind that has continued to this day. These folks were for the most part immigrants, just as was true for the founding of St. Nicholas.

 Indeed we have a rich heritage and I understand the importance of the word stewardship in every sense of the word. Only each of us can know what this means with respect to our church whether it’s giving of our talents, time and or money. Every one of us is going to give account to our Lord for our stewardship over our material resources. Everything the Lord entrusts in us is ultimately His and the highest and best use for it is to maximize its use for eternal glory.

 When I am at the awesome judgement seat and have to give an account of how I managed God’s resources (Matthew 25:21), I pray that He will say “well done good and faithful servant”.

  What Stewardship Means to Me

Patty Pappas Tsaoussis is a member of the Philoptochos Board at St Nicholas

Stewardship to me means love.  Love of God, his church (people), ministries; the faith.  As a child, being a steward of the church meant being a "member".  What did a "member" mean to a young child, you ask?  My Mother was not Orthodox in faith before she met my father, but converted when she married.  It took time for my mother to embrace the faith but it took longer for many parishioners to embrace the "xeni" or foreigner.  I always seem to remember my Dad saying, ''we have to pay our stewardship first.''  For whatever reason the memory I have, or really felt,  was did we belong?.  Did I really belong?

As I have grown older and somewhat wiser, Stewardship means so much more.  Do I make the effort to make everyone feel like they belong?.   Being a good steward is leading by example, guiding those they may need help whether spiritually, financially, emotionally, etc.   As Stewards of the church, it is not just financially supporting our "home" but supporting those that dwell in it. It means embracing all the church has to offer and what we can provide her in return with our time and talents.  Just like in our individual homes, we must nurture our spiritual home as she nurtures us.  What we put in, we reap the rewards in multitudes.

Over the years I have personally been involved in Feeding the Hungry, involved with the Philoptochos (Friends of the Poor) both on a local level and through the Metropolis of Chicago Board.  Did you know that Philoptochos is the largest Christian Women's Charitable Organization in the country with 27,000+ members?  It's mission is 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.  
  • To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures etc.
  • To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Faith and traditions, with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship and customs.

Our church has so much to offer us. What are we individually and collectively as a community, willing to offer our Church in return, with Faith, Hope and Love?.  It takes a village. 

What Stewardship Means to Me

Lexa Shontz is a steward of St Nicholas

When I was young, I didn’t know what stewardship was.  I thought you paid your dues and were a member of the church.  The church was there more to serve me, rather than me serve the church.    But being a steward is so much more than that…it is a way of life in which God is at the center, recognizing that everything we have comes from Him above.  As a steward, I have the opportunity to give back what God first gave me, and it extends beyond my treasure to encompass my talent and my time.  None of which I would have if not for the grace of God.  

Practicing stewardship has helped me grow in my Orthodox faith.  It is not only a reminder of gratitude for all the blessings God has given me in my life, but it keeps me grounded in the knowledge that my purpose on earth is to grow more in His image.  Christ came into this world not to be served, but to serve.  If our goal as Orthodox Christians is to become more “Christ-like” then we too are called to serve.  We can do this by being good stewards, taking care of God’s house and each other.  And when we give of ourselves, whether it be treasure, time, or talent, it’s important to remember the spirit in which we give.  As 2 Corinthians 9:7 states:  “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”   

Even still, it is easy to get caught up in the temptations of our material world, wanting to store our treasures like the rich fool who stored his grain.  Before sharing that parable, Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”  When I examine where I spend my money and my time, does it truly reflect the love that I say I have for God?  Not always.  And that is another blessing of stewardship—it calls us to tithe or give back to God so that we don’t let greed or selfishness become a stumbling block in our faith journey.   

During this Lenten Season, it is a perfect time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice God made for us out of His infinite love.  He sent His Son for each and every one of us and through His glorious resurrection, He has destroyed death and given us the hope of eternal life with Him.  When considering the magnitude of God’s love, it seems natural that we would want to give back to Him.  And in this cheerful giving, we receive so  much more than we can imagine—a contentment and peace in knowing we are doing God’s will for our life. 

  “What does Stewardship mean to me?“

Part 1- Background, misconceptions, and what Stewardship is to me now.

Mr. Basil Moutsatsos is a steward of St Nicholas

I grew up in the Tarpon Springs community and like so many others I was an active member of the church. From altar boy, GOYA, Greek School, and volunteering, I knew I was a member of the church.  But when the word “Stewardship” came around, I admit I thought it was the same thing.  In fact, as the years have gone by, I never really understood what Stewardship really meant until recently. 

For a little background, I was the kind of person who was lumped in with my family when it came to being listed with the church, which continued as I went to college.  My parents paid my dues and kept me in good standing.  Eventually I needed something from the church when I was going to be a godfather, but I realized that I hadn’t been paid up to date on my dues with the church.  I was still active when I came home from college, came to church on holy days, and reveled in being a part of this community, but I was not a real member.  I paid my annual dues and started that tradition for my own life.  I was proud of myself for doing the right thing and I thought I was a good member of the church. 

Notice that I keep using words like “dues” and “member”, as though the church was a kind of social club.  Lately I have been coming to terms with the belief that I have been a “member” but not a true Steward of the church.  Stewardship to me means for each of us to take a responsibility to the church not as a member but as a way in having the church be a fundamental part of our lives.  The church is God’s house, but we as Stewards keep it for him as if it were our own.  Like with our own homes, we either do the upkeep ourselves or we need to pay to have something done.  To make sure we have money to pay for things we cannot do ourselves, we try to save money in case of emergencies.  When money is too tight in our lives, we look to do the work ourselves or get help from friends and we repay them some way we can help them.  For me, Stewardship works the same way, but to plan well as Stewards we need to make a specific commitment to the church to let everyone know what we are going to do for the church to help out.                                                                                            3/27/2120

“What does Stewardship mean to me?“

Part 2: Issues that come with change and a plan I am going to try to follow 

 Last week I discussed how Stewardship is different than being just a member and ended with a call for letting our community know what we are going to do for the church to help out.  This is where I always ran into a problem.  I personally did not want credit for any of my good work because I wanted the work to get done, or money donated for good cause, but I did not want to be boastful of what I did.  I gave for God because it was right, and that did not need credit for my own advancement.  With different kinds of donations, I can still see where this mentality can work, but with Stewardship what I am giving, in either money or volunteering, is not a donation. 

For me now, Stewardship is not a gift, but it is my part of being a family committing to take care of each other in our joined love for our faith, our church, and our community.  When it comes to volunteering, we all need to know what we are all doing so we don’t all show up to do the same one thing as we need 1000 things throughout the course of a year.  When it comes to making a commitment of money, it is not a donation, but a pledge told to the church specifically, so the Church Board and Clergy know what to expect for the year as a budget.  The church can plan to fix what is needed in a responsible way and not have to cry out for an emergency fix. 

So, what does someone pledge to the church?  I have started to think about how I pledge to take care of my own home and immediate family.  I used to pay rent and now a mortgage, and I am ashamed to admit that I never gave more to the church for my yearly monetary donation as I did in paying my rent/mortgage for one month of that year.  At times I just couldn’t, other times when I could afford to give more, I kept giving the same.  But I always saw it as a donation.  Now, I am starting to see it differently and by pledging to the church what I plan to do, I feel more connected to the church. I also don’t want to let the church down, so I am going to start slowly and build into a more connected life with the church by trying to be a good Steward.  I still may not have it right, but I think I am on a better path.  It will take time and I know we are all here to help each other like a true community.

Mr. Basil Moutsatsos is a Steward of St Nicholas


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Master Calendar

  • St Nicholas Cathedral Master Calendar

    April 3 to April 18, 2022

    Sunday, April 3

    Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

    Sunday of St. John Climacus

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday school

    6:30PM Choir Concert

    Monday, April 4

    George the Righteous of Maleon

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    9:00AM Morning Prayers

    4:00PM Greek Folk Dance

    6:00PM Great Compline

    Tuesday, April 5

    Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, Pappias, Nicephorus, and Serapion

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    4:15PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Compline

    Wednesday, April 6

    Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy

    7:00PM GOYA

    Thursday, April 7

    5th Thursday of Lent: The Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    4:15PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Compline

    7:00PM Council of Ministries

    7:00PM Choir Rehearsal

    Friday, April 8

    The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermes

    9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    1:00PM Confession Available - NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED

    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos

    Saturday, April 9

    5th Saturday of Lent: The Akathist Hymn

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    7:00PM Young Adult Ministry YAM

    Sunday, April 10

    Fr Theofanis on Call - 727-244-6842

    Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday school

    Monday, April 11

    Heiromartyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    9:00AM Morning Prayers

    4:00PM Greek Folk Dance

    6:00PM Great Compline

    Tuesday, April 12

    Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    4:15PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Compline

    Wednesday, April 13

    Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy

    7:00PM GOYA

    Thursday, April 14

    Aristarchus, Pudens, Trophimus the Apostles of the 70

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    4:15PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Compline

    7:00PM Philoptochos Meeting

    7:00PM Choir Rehearsal

    Friday, April 15

    Crescens the Martyr

    9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    1:00PM Confession Available - NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED

    3:00PM Lazarakia

    6:00PM Vespers

    Saturday, April 16

    Lazarus Saturday

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Saturday of Lazarus Youth Retreat

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, April 17

    Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

    Palm Sunday

    7:00AM Othros/Matins

    8:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Second Divine Liturgy

    7:00PM Bridegroom Orthros/Matins

    Monday, April 18

    Holy Monday

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Parish Bulletin Board

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