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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2023-01-08
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

Monday through Saturday

6:00 pm Small Compline


Past Bulletins


Dean's Message

Frathanasios-3

Why Do Orthodox Christian Bless Material Things?

Last Friday thousands of faithful men and women and many visitors gathered in our Cathedral and along the shores of Spring Bayou for the annual Cross Dive and Blessing of the Waters in honor of the Feast of Epiphany. During the special blessing service, the Holy Spirit was called down to bless the waters and those who partake of them or are sprinkled by them. This ancient custom of blessing water is celebrated throughout the world as part of Orthodox Christian celebration of Epiphany, the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ Who blessed all of creation when He entered the Jordan River.

So why do Orthodox Christians bless water, and other material things? How can water “be” holy? How can the grace of God be contained in some material object? The word “holy” has a double meaning in the ancient Christian Church, which means “not earthly” or “set aside for a special purpose.” God commanded His people to “Be holy as I am holy,” (Leviticus 11.44-5) and Saint Peter affirmed the call to holiness in the New Testament. If God commanded people to be holy, it would mean that material things can become holy. There are dozens of references in the Old Testament to material objects being holy. If we understand the word as “set aside for a special purpose,” then it becomes clear.

When Orthodox Christians bless material things, such as the water at last week’s celebration, we are asking God to use those material things for a special purpose. Especially in the case of water which is the single most important physical requirement for life, blessing water means blessing life itself. For Orthodox Christians, the created world has been given to us by God for a special purpose – to find God. Throughout history, the physical world has assisted humanity to understand God. Both the Old and New Testament are filled with references of the Earth being a sign for God’s love and power. Earthquakes, stars, floods, clouds, refreshing rain, harsh droughts, and even solar eclipses have been used by God to reveal Himself to humanity. To prove His point Jesus said, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19.40)

If the material world should not be used for God to bless humanity, then He would have remained a distant God and called down from His Throne, “Ok, I forgive you. You may now go about your business as usual.” But God did in fact use creation as a way for us to find Him. It is humanity that abuses creation and uses it for selfish purposes. It is humanity that assigns monetary value to life, not God. If by asking God to bless material things, we (thing by thing) set aside the material world to the original purpose God had intended, we are partners with God, not enemies. Just try to reach out to God without using any material thing – no building, no mountain top, no peaceful valley, not even the voice that flows from our lips – it just cannot be done. That’s why Orthodox Christians bless material things.

So this year, we invite each family of our blessed Cathedral to contact Fr Theofanis or myself and schedule a house or business blessing.  Just as the Church has been set aside for a special purpose, our homes and businesses should be set aside for a special purpose. That purpose is for our family to live united to God, dedicated to His message of hope for a new life in Christ free from the burden of sin and temptation. When we invite the Priest into our homes and businesses for this annual blessing, we are indeed inviting Christ Himself and His Holy Spirit into our daily lives so that we can live committed Orthodox Christian lives for His glory. This is not merely an old Greek custom but a holy act of faith in the power to God in our lives.

 

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Saints and Feasts

Baptism
January 08

Sunday after Epiphany


Allsaint
January 08

George of Hozeva

Saint George lived about the beginning of the ninth century in Palestine, in a certain monastery called Hozeva, which lies in a great ravine between Jerusalem and Jericho.


Allsaint
January 08

Domnica the Righteous of Constantinople

Saint Domnica was from Carthage. During the reign of the Emperor Theodosius the Great, she came with four other virgins to Constantinople, where she was baptized by Nectarius, the Patriarch of Constantinople. She remained in Constantinople and became known for her extreme asceticism, the miracles that she worked, and the grace of prophecy that adorned her. She lived until the days of the Emperors Leo and Zeno, reposing in peace about the year 474.


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Cathedral Listings

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

Memorials

 Duchess Arfaras - 40 days

Esther Gerakios - 40 days

Theresa Angeliki Houllis - 40 days

Charles Smolios - 1 year

Kiriakoula Lymberopoulos - 1 year

Anna Frangopoulos - 3 years

Anthony Zoanos - 6 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 have the names put in the bulletin.

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

Iakovos, Michael, Yiannis, Carter, Nicholas, Alexandra, George, Eleftheri, Eugenia, Baby Anna Christina, Rita, Joyce, Chris, Jenny, Paraskava, Angeliki, Esther, Katerina, George

 

*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 1st 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

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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 Afterfeast of the Theophany in the 1st Mode

When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee.
Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις, τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοί, ἀγαπητὸν σὲ Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστεράς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεῖς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοί.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."
Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἓν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνούντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία εἱστήκει πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον κλαίουσα ἔξω· ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ, καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὅτι ᾖραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν· καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾒδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρὸς ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ αὐτὸν ἔθηκας, κᾀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μαρία· στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· Ῥαββουνί· ὃ λέγεται Διδάσκαλε· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Μή μου ἃπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου, καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· Ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν· ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον· καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.


Epistle Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Sunday after Epiphany
Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13

Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ· μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Sunday after Epiphany
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ᾿Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ ῾Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ ᾿Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. ᾿Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν· μετανοεῖτε· ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

For as persons not even knowing where to put a step forward, so they sat, overtaken by the darkness.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians Ch. 13, 2nd 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 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.

 


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Important Announcements

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Master Calendar

  • Master Calendar

    January 8 to January 23, 2023

    Sunday, January 8

    Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

    Sunday after Epiphany

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

    Monday, January 9

    Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    Tuesday, January 10

    Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Visitation

    11:00AM Pappas Funeral

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM Learn Conversational Greek

    Wednesday, January 11

    Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    11:00AM Vasilakis Funeral

    6:00PM Paraklesis to Theotokos

    7:00PM Goya

    Thursday, January 12

    Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:30AM Women's Book Club

    11:00AM Funeral: Philomena Fomkin

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Paraklesis to St Nicholas

    7:00PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM Philoptochos General Meeting

    7:00PM Youth Choir

    7:00PM Dance Board Meeting

    Friday, January 13

    Metropolis of Atlanta Hellenic Dance Festival

    Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    11:00AM Visitation

    12:00PM KourametisFuneral

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    Saturday, January 14

    Leavetaking of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, January 15

    Fr Theofanis on Call - 727-244-6842

    12th Sunday of Luke

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM Sunday School - after Communion

    Monday, January 16

    Veneration of Apostle Peter's Precious Chains

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    4:00PM Dance Ministry

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Tuesday, January 17

    Anthony the Great

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM Learn Conversational Greek

    7:00PM Drug Task Force Planning Meeting

    Wednesday, January 18

    Athanasios and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Paraklesis to Theotokos

    7:00PM Goya

    7:00PM Clergy Laity Mtg

    Thursday, January 19

    Macarius the Great of Egypt

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:30AM Women's Book Club

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Paraklesis to St Nicholas

    7:00PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM Youth Choir

    Friday, January 20

    Righteous Euthymius the Great

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    4:00PM GOYA Retreat in Clearwater

    Saturday, January 21

    Maximus the Confessor

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    Sunday, January 22

    Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

    15th Sunday of Luke

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM Sunday School - after Communion

    Monday, January 23

    Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra

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Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar

  • Tampa Bay GOA Calendar

    January 13 to January 27, 2023

    Friday, January 13

    Metropolis of Atlanta Hellenic Dance Festival

    Friday, January 20

    4:00PM Holy Trinity: GOYA Winter Event

    Friday, January 27

    St. George's Winter Carnival

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