Dean's Message

Do YOU Want Eternal Life?

When Jesus was asked, “What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” He responded by saying, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19.16-17) After listing all the commandments the rich man chose to push the issue further by saying, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19.20) Ultimately, after Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor; and you will treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me,” the rich man departed from his chat with Jesus because he could not part with all his wealth. Have you ever wondered why the rich man left instead of following Jesus?

The Gospel makes it a point say, “He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19.22) The rich man was unable to give away his wealth because, like so many wealthy today, he worked hard for what he had. The money wasn’t given to him; he had to work for it and it wasn’t fair that he should give it to some poor person who was too lazy to get out of bed and work hard. And who was Jesus anyway to expect him to live without the comforts of life? It was HIS money after all…..

I hear this same argument every time I mention Christian stewardship. The hard truth is that most of us live lives that revolve around making money to maintain a lifestyle that is, if we really acknowledged it, more than we would ever need. In fact we put much more effort into our American lifestyle than into preparing our souls to spend eternity with Jesus our Lord.

The real question is…..would WE walk away or follow Jesus? Think about it…

Fr Theofanis

Καλώς μας ήρθες Σεπτέμβρη μας! Υπάρχει ομως αδερφοί μου μια σημαντική εορτή της εκκλησίας μας για την οποία έχω προσέξει ότι πολύς κόσμος εδώ στην Αμερική δεν γνωρίζει. Στις 31 Αυγούστου η Αγία μας Εκκλησία τιμά και γιορτάζει την κατάθεση της Αγίας Ζώνης της Παναγιάς μας . Πρέπει να γνωρίζουμε όλοι πως τα ενδύματα των Αγίων δεν είναι απλώς αντικείμενα που διατηρούν σε εμάς τη μνήμη τους, αλλά έχουν κι αυτά τη χάρη του Θεού, καθώς εκείνοι που τα φορούσαν επάνω τους ήταν φορείς του Αγίου Πνεύματος.

Ο Απόστολος Θωμάς ήταν ο μόνος από τους Αποστόλους ο οποίος είδε τη Μετάσταση της Θεοτόκου. Δεν είχε μπορέσει νὰ παρευρεθεί στη κηδεία της διοτι βρίσκονταν στις Ἰνδίες. Εκει λοιπόν μετὰ από τρείς μέρες καθώς τελούσε τη Θεία Λειτουργία, βρέθηκε στη Γεσθημανὴ με θαυμαστὸ τρόπο καὶ είδε όλα όσα συνέβησαν. Τότε παρακάλεσε την Παναγία να του δώσει ως ευλογία τη Ζώνη της. Έτσι λοιπόν εκείνη καθὼς ανέβαινε στους ουρανούς, του έριξε το Ιερό αυτό κειμήλιο. Η ανακομιδή της τίμιας Ζώνης της Θεοτόκου, άλλοι λένε ότι έγινε από το βασιλιά Αρκάδιο και άλλοι από το γιο του Θεοδόσιο τον Β’. Η μεταφορά έγινε από την Ιερουσαλήμ στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και την τοποθέτησαν σε μια χρυσή θήκη, που ονομάσθηκε αγία Σωρός. Όταν πέρασαν 410 χρόνια, ο βασιλιάς Λέων ο Σοφός άνοιξε την αγία αυτή Σωρό για τη βασίλισσα σύζυγο του Ζωή, που την διακατείχε πνεύμα ακάθαρτο. Όταν λοιπόν άνοιξε την αγία Σωρό, βρήκε την τίμια Ζώνη της Θεοτόκου να ακτινοβολεί υπερφυσικά. Και είχε μια χρυσή βούλα, που φανέρωνε το χρόνο και την ήμερα που μεταφέρθηκε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη. Αφού λοιπόν την προσκύνησαν, ο Πατριάρχης άπλωσε την τιμία Ζώνη επάνω στη βασίλισσα, και αμέσως αυτή ελευθερώθηκε από το δαιμόνιο. Όποτε όλοι δόξασαν το Σωτήρα Χριστό και ευχαρίστησαν την πανάχραντη Μητέρα Του, η οποία είναι για τους πιστούς φρουρός, καταφυγή, βοηθός, σκέπη, σε κάθε καιρό και τόπο, ήμερα και νύκτα. Στη συνέχεια η Αγία Ζώνη τεμαχίστηκε και τεμάχιά της μεταφέρθηκαν σε διάφορους ναούς της Κωνσταντινούπολης. Μετά την άλωση της Πόλης από τούς Σταυροφόρους το 1204 μ.Χ., κάποια τεμάχια αρπάχτηκαν από τους βάρβαρους και απολίτιστους κατακτητές και μεταφέρθηκαν στη Δύση. Ένα μέρος όμως διασώθηκε και παρέμεινε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και μετά την απελευθέρωση της Πόλης από τον Μιχαήλ Η’ Παλαιολόγο. Φυλασσόταν στον ιερό ναό της Θεοτόκου των Βλαχερνών. Μετά την άλωση της Κωνσταντινούπολης από τούς Τούρκους το 1453 μ.Χ., είναι άγνωστο τι απέγινε το υπόλοιπο μέρος της Αγίας Ζώνης στη συνέχεια. Το μοναδικό σωζόμενο τμήμα είναι αυτό που φυλάσσεται στην Ιερά Μονή Βατοπαιδίου στο Άγιο Όρος όπου είχα την ευλογία και τη μεγάλη τιμή να κρατήσω στα χέρια μου κατά την ώρα της Μεγάλης Εισόδου των Αγίων Δώρων καθως οι Αγιορείτες μοναχοί έχουν ως τυπικό κατά τη διάρκεια της μεγάλης εισόδου να δίνουν στους Ιερείς να βαστάνε Ιερά λείψανα. Έτσι λοιπόν το περασμένο Μάρτη που τελέσαμε προσκύνημα στην Ι.Μ.Βατοπαιδίου με τον Αρχιεπισκοπό μας Ελπιδοφόρο ο ηγούμενος Γέροντας Εφραίμ μου εναπόθεσε την Αγία Ζώνη στην αγκαλιά μου για λίγα λεπτά και αυτό που ένιωσα σας διαβεβαιώ θα μου μείνει αξέχαστο. Είναι πολύ σημαντικό να γνωρίζουμε πως τα θαύματα που πραγματοποίησε και πραγματοποιεί η Τιμία Ζώνη είναι πολλά. Βοηθά τις στείρες γυναίκες να αποκτήσουν παιδί. Αν ζητήσουν με ευλάβεια τη βοήθειά της Παναγίας, αφού πάρουν τεμάχιο κορδέλας που έχει ευλογηθεί στην λειψανοθήκη της Αγίας Ζώνης αν έχουν πίστη, καθίστανται έγκυες. Επίσης απαλύνει των πόνο καρκινοπαθών οπως επίσης ο Γέροντας Εφραίμ εν μέσω κορωνιου έβαζε στην Αγία τράπεζα την Τιμία Ζώνη της Παναγίας κάνοντας ειδική δέηση εν μέσω Θεία Λειτουργίας γιατί καταπολέμηση του θανατηφόρου υιού.

Δεν είναι λοιπόν τυχαίο ότι κλείνει το εκκλησιαστικό έτος με αυτή την πολύ σημαντική εορτή της Τιμίας Ζώνης της μανούλας μας της Παναγιάς. Στην Ιερά Μονή Βατοπαιδίου στο τέλος καθε ιεράς ακολουθίας κατά την απόλυση ο Ιερέας κατά τη μνημόνευση της Θεοτόκου προσθέτει: Χαριτι και σκεπή της Τιμίας και πανακηράτου αυτής Αγίας Ζώνης κάτι που το συνηθίζω και εγώ πολλές φορές στην απόλυση του εσπερινού ειδικά όταν υπάρχει ανάγκη για κάποια ψυχή που υποφέρει εκείνη τη μέρα.

Με αυτη την λαμπρή εορτή λοιπόν μας χαιρετά το παρελθόν εκκλησιαστικό έτος και έρχεται να μας υποδεχτεί το νέο με την εορτή της ινδίκτου από την λατινική λέξη «indictio», η οποία σημαίνει ορισμός – δηλαδή την έναρξη του εκκλησιαστικού έτους.

Σας εύχομαι ολόψυχα Καλό μήνα και καλή Εκκλησιαστική χρονιά με υγεία, πολλά χαμόγελα και χάρη Θεού. Αμην

Vikentios Livanos

Greetings in Christ,

I wish all of us a blessed Liturgical New Year!

A brief review of the last few weeks of events, and a quick look into the future.

Philoptochos had a successful Koulourakia Baking this past week. They will have two meetings over the next few weeks before their Feed the Hungry Event.

Goya has had a great representation over the past two weeks, I am personally excited to experience the great opportunities we have lined up for them this year. Towards the end of this month, we are hosting the 2nd Annual Dodgeball Tournament as a regional Goya event.

Greek Folk Dance has met twice now, and there are lots of new faces ready to learn!

Greek School has also had a good start with the Agiasmo blessing Fr. Tryfon Hall.

This wednesday September Seventh we are greatly looking forward to kicking off our first Parish Ministry Night. Beginning at six in the evening with Great Vespers in the Cathedral, followed by dinner, fellowship, learning, and dessert in the Fr. Tryfon Hall. We are set for a wonderful community gathering for all ages!

Next Sunday the eleventh is the Start of Sunday School, bring your children!

Also on the eleventh is the first High School Upperclass Lunch with the Dean!

The Women's Book Club is back to meeting twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.

Philadelphia Men's Ministry needs your RSVP for the Monastery trip by September third!They will meet September seventeenth after Divine Liturgy for breakfast instead of the regular time at eight.

At the end of this month we look forward to the beginning of our Orthodoxy 101 class.

Saints and Feasts

September 04

12th Sunday of Matthew

September 04

Babylas the Holy Martyr

Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch, being the successor of Zebinus (or Zebinas); he was beheaded during the reign of Decius, in the year 250, and at his own request was buried in the chains with which he was bound. The Emperor Gallus (reigned 351-354) built a church in his honour at Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, to put an end to the demonic oracles at the nearby temple of Apollo. When Julian the Apostate came in 362 to consult the oracle about his campaign against the Persians, the oracle (that is, the demon within it) remained dumb until at last, answering Julian's many sacrifices and supplications, it told him, "The dead prevent me from speaking." It told Julian to dig up the bones and move them. Julian, then, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, "leaving all the other dead, moved only that Martyr." He commanded the Christians to take away Saint Babylas' bones, which they did with great solemnity and triumph. When this had been done, a thunderbolt fell from heaven destroying with fire the shrine of Apollo, which Julian did not dare rebuild. Saint John Chrysostom preached a sermon on this within a generation after.

September 04

Moses the Prophet & Godseer

The Prophet Moses-whose name means "one who draws forth," or "is drawn from," that is, from the water-was the pinnacle of the lovers of wisdom, the supremely wise lawgiver, the most ancient historian of all. He was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram and Jochabed (Num. 26:59). He was born in Egypt in the seventeenth century before Christ. While yet a babe of three months, he was placed in a basket made of papyrus and covered with pitch, and cast into the streams of the Nile for fear of Pharaoh's decree to the mid-wives of the Hebrews, that all the male children of the Hebrews be put to death. He was taken up from the river by Pharaoh's daughter, became her adopted son, and was reared and dwelt in the King's palace for forty years. Afterward, when he was some sixty years old, he fled to Madian, where, on Mount Horeb, he saw the vision of the burning bush. Thus he was ordained by God to lead Israel and bring it out of the land of Egypt. He led Israel through the Red Sea as it were dry land and governed the people for forty years. He wrought many signs and wonders, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which are called the Pentateuch. When he reached the land of Moab, he ascended Mount Nabau, on the peak called Phasga, and there, by divine command, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ, having lived for some 120 years. The first two Odes of the Old Testament, "Let us sing to the Lord" and "Attend, O heaven, and I will speak," were written by him. Of these hymns, the first was chanted by the shore of the Red Sea as soon as the Israelites had crossed it; the second, in the land of Moab, a few days before his repose. The Holy High Priest Aaron was the elder brother of the Holy Prophet Moses. He was appointed by God to serve as the spokesman of Moses before the people, and also before Pharaoh, in Egypt. Afterwards, in the wilderness, he was called to the ministry of the high priesthood, as narrated in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in the Old Testament. The name Aaron means "enlightened."

Cathedral Listings

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

Memorials

Demetrios Meletiou - 40 days

Mary Toth - 40 days

Nick Tsongranis - 3 months

Helen Kontodiakos Liras - 6 months

Emanuel Psilakis 9 months

Joseph L. Pappas - 1 year

Alexander Bazos - 4 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

Sylvia, Tony, Michael, Thomas, Dan, Michael, Nicholas, Alexandra, Panagioti, Pantelis, Linda, Katerina, Helen, Eugenia, Pericles, Alice, Kaliope, Lynn, Evdokia, Pamela, Anna, Pantelis

*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

August 7, 2022 – January 15, 2023

PC Teams for rotation begins Sunday, 8/7/2022 with Team 2 on Duty

**President and 1^st Vice President are listed on a team, although they are there to respond to parishioner questions/concerns

**PC members are needed for St. Nicholas Feast Day, Epiphany and all major feast days during these months.

August 14, 28; September 11, 25; October 9, 23; November 6, 20; December 4, 18; January 1, 15

Team 1:

Solon Tsaoussis

Anna Billiris **

Themis Fountotos Tezza

Karen Koulias

Jon Michael Lelekis

John Lulias

Tony Zaronias

August 7, 21; September 4, 18; October 2, 16, 30; November 13, 27; December 11, 25; January 8

Team 2:

John Stamas

Nikitas Manias **

Rena Faklis

Emmanuel Gombos

Costas Sisois

Harry Andropoulos

Dean Prodromitis

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He trampled down death by death and became the firstborn of the dead. From the depths of Hades, He delivered us and granted to the world great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Babylas in the 4th Mode

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Babylas. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Καί τρόπων μέτοχος, καί θρόνων διάδοχος, τών Αποστόλων γενόμενος, τήν πράξιν εύρες Θεόπνευστε, εις θεωρίας επίβασιν, διά τούτο τόν λόγον τής αληθείας ορθοτομών, καί τή πίστει ενήθλησας μέχρις αίματος, Ιερομάρτυς Βαβύλα, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."

Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11

Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12th Sunday of Matthew
Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 15:1-11

Ἀδελφοί, γνωρίζω δὲ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ὃ εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν, ὃ καὶ παρελάβετε, ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἑστήκατε, διʼ οὗ καὶ σῴζεσθε· τίνι λόγῳ εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν, εἰ κατέχετε, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ εἰκῇ ἐπιστεύσατε. Παρέδωκα γὰρ ὑμῖν ἐν πρώτοις, ὃ καὶ παρέλαβον, ὅτι Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν κατὰ τὰς γραφάς. καὶ ὅτι ἐτάφη· καὶ ὅτι ἐγήγερται τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ κατὰ τὰς γραφάς· καὶ ὅτι ὤφθη Κηφᾷ, εἶτα τοῖς δώδεκα· ἔπειτα ὤφθη ἐπάνω πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς ἐφάπαξ, ἐξ ὧν οἱ πλείους μένουσιν ἕως ἄρτι, τινὲς δὲ καὶ ἐκοιμήθησαν· ἔπειτα ὤφθη Ἰακώβῳ, εἶτα τοῖς ἀποστόλοις πᾶσιν· ἔσχατον δὲ πάντων, ὡσπερεὶ τῷ ἐκτρώματι, ὤφθη κἀμοί. Ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων, ὃς οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς καλεῖσθαι ἀπόστολος, διότι ἐδίωξα τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ. Χάριτι δὲ θεοῦ εἰμι ὅ εἰμι, καὶ ἡ χάρις αὐτοῦ ἡ εἰς ἐμὲ οὐ κενὴ ἐγενήθη, ἀλλὰ περισσότερον αὐτῶν πάντων ἐκοπίασα, οὐκ ἐγὼ δέ, ἀλλʼ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ σὺν ἐμοί. Εἴτε οὖν ἐγώ, εἴτε ἐκεῖνοι, οὕτως κηρύσσομεν καὶ οὕτως ἐπιστεύσατε.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

12th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 19:16-26

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νεανίσκος τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ, γονυπετῶν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγων· Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα ἔχω ζωὴν αἰώνιον; ‘O δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωήν, τήρησον τὰς ἐντολάς. λέγει αὐτῷ· ποίας; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε· τὸ οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις, τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος· πάντα ταῦτα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου· τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ; ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ ῾Ιησοῦς· εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος· ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά. ῾Ο δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι δυσκόλως πλούσιος εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. πάλιν δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα λέγοντες· τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι; ἐμβλέψας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατόν ἐστι, παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ πάντα δυνατά ἐστι.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Rise from love of the world and love of pleasure. Put care aside, strip your mind, refuse your body. Prayer, after all, is a turning away from the world, visible and invisible. What have I in heaven? Nothing except simply to cling always to You in undistracted prayer. Wealth pleases some, glory others, possessions others, but what I want is to cling to God and to put the hopes of my dispassion in Him (cf. Ps. 72:25, 28).

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 28: On Prayer; Paulist Press pg. 277, 6th century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.

St. Isaac of Syria

Unknown, 7th century

Important Updates From Our Ministries

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.

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

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.

Parish Bulletin Board Flyers

Message for the Ecclesiastical New Year from the Metropolitan

Additional Flyers

Free subscription to Ramsey Solutions money plan!

Master Calendar

Master Calendar

September 4 to September 19, 2022

Sunday, September 4

Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

12th Sunday of Matthew

7:45AM Othros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, September 5

Holy Prophet Zacharias, Father of the Venerable Forerunner

8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

Tuesday, September 6

The Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae (Chonae)

9:00AM Daily Orthros

4:30PM Greek School

6:00PM Daily Vespers

7:00PM Boy Scouts

7:00PM Bible Study on 1st Corinthians

Wednesday, September 7

The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

9:00AM Daily Orthros

10:00AM Little Lambs

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

6:00PM Great Vespers

7:00PM Parish Ministry Night

Thursday, September 8

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

9:00AM Orthros/Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

4:30PM Greek School

6:00PM Paraklesis to St Nicholas

7:00PM Choir Practice

7:00PM Philoptochos General Meeting

Friday, September 9

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

9:00AM Daily Orthros

6:00PM Daily Vespers

7:00PM Council of Ministries Workshop

Saturday, September 10

Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs

9:00AM Men's Ministry to Monastery

Sunday, September 11

Fr Theofanis on Call - 727-244-6842

Sunday before Holy Cross

7:45AM Othros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

12:00PM HS Upper Class Brunch with Dean

7:00PM Women's Book Club

Monday, September 12

Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

9:00AM Morning Prayers

4:00PM Dance Ministry

6:00PM Small Compline

Tuesday, September 13

Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

9:00AM Daily Orthros

4:30PM Greek School

6:00PM Great Vespers

7:00PM Boy Scouts

7:00PM Bible Study on 1st Corinthians

Wednesday, September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

9:00AM Orthros/Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

10:00AM Little Lambs

6:00PM Great Vespers

7:00PM Goya

7:00PM Bookstore Meeting

Thursday, September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

9:00AM Orthros/Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

4:30PM Greek School

6:00PM Paraklesis to St Nicholas

7:00PM Choir Practice

7:00PM PC Board Meeting

Friday, September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

9:00AM Daily Orthros

6:00PM Great Vespers

Saturday, September 17

Saturday after Holy Cross

9:00AM Orthros/Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

6:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, September 18

Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

Sunday after Holy Cross

7:45AM Othros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

7:00PM Women's Book Club

Monday, September 19

Trophimus, Sabbatius, & Dorymedon the Martyrs

Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar

Tampa Bay GOA Calendar

September 24 to September 24, 2022

Saturday, September 24

9:00AM GOYA Regional Dodgeball Tournament

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12th Sunday of Matthew

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Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Babylas in the 4th Mode

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Epistle Reading

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Important Updates From Our Ministries

St Nicholas Kitchen

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

Parish Bulletin Board Flyers

Additional Flyers

Master Calendar

Master Calendar

September 4 to September 19, 2022

Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar

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September 24 to September 24, 2022