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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2023-02-12
Bulletin Contents
Prodson
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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

The Pain of Coming to Your Senses

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15.11-32), Jesus tells us of the journey of the youngest son of a father, who wants to go out on his own. He demands to collect his inheritance early and strikes out on his own. His father, loving and supportive, allows his son to leave the safety and comfort of home. Aside from the demand for an early inheritance, many of us can relate to, and maybe even admire, the courage of a young man going out on his own. But that is where the story takes a turn for the worse.

The young man took his inheritance and, “journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” (Luke 15.13) After losing everything he possessed, he was left to eat pig slop, “and no one gave him anything.” (Luke 15.16) All those he knew in this far country were no help in his pain. He was suffering from some very poor choices. Jesus said, “He came to himself,” (Luke 15.17) and chose to return to his father, not as a son, but as a servant. At least he would have food in his stomach and a roof over his head.

This young man expressed humility by returning to his father, and his father “ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Luke 15.20) He had been welcomed back to the family and FULLY restored to his original place in the family. The young man’s humility gave him not just a roof and food, but a family and a home.

This man represents each of us and the choices we make in life. Many times we find ourselves suffering from the poor choices we make, and none of our friends helps us. It only takes the willingness to humble ourselves, admit our poor choices through Holy Confession, and we will be FULLY restored by Christ to His family – The Church! We will not receive simply food and a roof, but we will have Communion with God in Heaven! We don’t have to remain with the pigs, when our Father welcomes us home.

If the youngest son had remained away, he would have kept suffering. If we choose to remain in our stubborn choices, we will also continue to suffer. To help us the Church offers us the Mystery of Holy Confession. It is a mystery, because we don’t know how God takes our suffering and pain, and removes our guilty conscience ‘just because’ we stand with the priest in the Church. But God does just that.

To help you come back from the choices that bring you suffering, Fr Athanasios is available every Friday from 3-6pm in the Chapel for the Mystery of Holy Confession. You don’t need an appointment. You only need to choose to come back.

 

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Fr Theofanis

Frtheofani3g

"The Father's Love: A Message of

Forgiveness and Redemption"

The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It teaches us about the unconditional love and forgiveness of God, and how we can find redemption and return to Him no matter what we have done.

Today, we will take a closer look at this powerful story and discover how it can impact our lives.

The parable begins with the younger son asking for his share of the inheritance from his father. The father grants his request, and the son leaves home and squanders all his wealth in a life of extravagance and sin. When a famine arises, the son realizes he has nothing left and decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness.

Despite his son's rebellion and wasted resources, the father runs to meet him, embraces him, and orders a feast to be prepared in his honor. The older son, who has been faithful and obedient, is upset that his father is showing such kindness to his prodigal brother. The father reminds the older son that they are both his children, and that all he has is theirs.

The parable of the prodigal son teaches the importance of forgiveness, redemption, and the unconditional love of God.It helps people understand that no matter how far they have strayed or how much they have sinned, they can always return to God and be welcomed back with open arms. This message is relevant in today's world as it offers hope and encouragement to individuals who feel lost and overwhelmed by their mistakes. It serves as a reminder that it's never too late to repent and make amends, and that forgiveness and second chances are possible. This gospel can help people find comfort and peace in their struggles and provide a source of strength for those facing challenges and difficulties in their lives.

Let us embrace this message of hope and forgiveness, and let us turn to God in times of need, knowing that He will always welcome us with open arms. Amen.

 

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Saints and Feasts

Prodson
February 12

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


Allsaint
February 12

Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch

This holy Father, who was from Melitene of Armenia, was a blameless man, just, reverent, sincere, and most gentle. Consecrated Bishop of Sebastia in 357, he was later banished from his throne and departed for Beroea of Syria (this is the present-day Aleppo). After the Arian bishop of Antioch had been deposed, the Orthodox and the Arians each strove to have a man of like mind with themselves become the next Bishop of Antioch. Meletius was highly esteemed by all, and since the Arians believed him to share their own opinion, they had him raised to the throne of Antioch. As soon as he had taken the helm of the Church of Antioch, however, he began preaching the Son's consubstantiality with the Father. At this, the archdeacon, an Arian, put his hand over the bishop's mouth; Meletius then extended three fingers towards the people, closed them, and extended one only, showing by signs the equality and unity of the Trinity. The embarrassed archdeacon then seized his hand, but released his mouth, and Meletius spoke out even more forcibly in defense of the Council of Nicaea. Shortly after, he was banished by the Arian Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine the Great. After the passage of time, he was recalled to his throne, but was banished again the third time by Valens. It was Saint Meletius who ordained Saint John Chrysostom reader and deacon in Antioch (see Nov. 13). He lived until the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 (which was convoked against Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, the enemy of the Holy Spirit), over which he presided, being held in great honor as a zealot of the Faith and a venerable elder hierarch.

Some time before, when the Emperor Gratian had made the Spanish General Theodosius commander-in-chief of his armies in the war against the barbarians, Theodosius had a dream in which he saw Meletius, whom he had never met, putting upon him the imperial robe and crown. Because of Theodosius's victories, Gratian made him Emperor of the East in Valens' stead in 379. When, as Emperor, Saint Theodosius the Great convoked the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople two years later, he forbade that anyone should tell him who Meletius was; and as soon as he saw him, he recognized him, ran to him with joy, embraced him before all the other bishops, and told him of his dream.

While at the Council, Saint Meletius fell ill and reposed a short while after. Saint Gregory of Nyssa, among others, gave a moving oration at his funeral; bewailing the loss of him whom all loved as a father, he said, "Where is that sweet serenity of his eyes? Where that bright smile upon his lips? Where that kind right hand, with fingers outstretched to accompany the benediction of the mouth?" (PG 46:8-6). And he lamented, "Our Elias has been caught up, and no Elisseus is left behind in his place." (ibid., 860). The holy relics of Saint Meletius were returned to Antioch and were buried beside Saint Babylas the Martyr (see Sept. 4), in the Church dedicated to the Martyr which Meletius, in his zeal for the Martyr's glory, had helped build with his own hands.


Allsaint
February 12

Antonius, Archbishop of Constantinople


Allsaint
February 12

Meletios of Ypseni


Allsaint
February 12

Christos the New Martyr


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Cathedral Listings

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

Memorial Services for Today are:

Constantinos Kouremetis (40 day)

Tatiani Kontodiakos (6 months)

Stephanie Gerogion (6 months)

Kaliopi Ikonomou (1 year)

Michalis Stilianos (2 year)

Pericles Valendou (2 year) 

Pericles Chrisovalantis Tiliakos (2 year)

Athanasia Frangos (8 year)

Elias Stamos (14 year)

John Forcella, Sr (26 year)

Carol Forcella (37 year)

       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

Rita, Joyce, Chris, Jenny, Paraskava, Angeliki, Esther, Katerina, George, Carter, Beth, Bessie, Harriet, Alex, Pamela, Christopher, Alexandra, Eugenia, Megan, Fr. Angelo

 

*To add a loved one to this list, please contact Denise at the church office 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.
 
 

2023 St. Nicholas Parish Council Pangari Rotation Sunday Schedule

  January 22, 2023 – July 30, 2023

  

PC Teams for rotation begins Sunday, 1/22/2023 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 9, 2023

 

PC Holy Week Schedule to be sent March, 2023; will include Pascha, April 16, 2023

 

January 29; February 12, 26; March 12, 26; April **9, 23; May 7, 21; June 4, 18; July 2, 16, 30

 

Team 1:

Anna Billiris **

Themis Fountotos Tezza

Efthimios Klimis

John Lulias

Rosanne Pappas

Dean Prodromitis

Tony Zaronias

 

January 22; February 5, 19; March 5, 19; April 2, **9, 30; May 14, 28; June 11, 25; July 9, 23

 

Team 2:

Nikitas Manias **

John Stamas

Harry Andropoulos

Rena Faklis

Karen Koulias

Emmanuel Gombos

Costas Sisois

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode

When You descended unto death, O Life Immortal, You rendered to Hades a mortal blow by the lightning of Your divinity, and when from the depths of darkness You also raised the dead, all the heavenly powers cried out: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Second Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 16:1-8

Διαγενομένου τοῦ Σαββάτου, Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα, ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν τὸν Ἰησοῦν. Καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου. Καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· Τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου; καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα. Καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολήν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν· ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· Μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε, Ἰησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον, ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ᾧδε· ἴδε, ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν, ἀλλ' ὑπάγετε, εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ, ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ.


Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 6:12-20

Ἀδελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει· πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν. Ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν. Φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν· ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ; Καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς· δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 15:11-32

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί· πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. καὶ μετ᾿ οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὸς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους. καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε· πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυμαι! ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου. οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου· ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱός· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ· ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. ῏Ην δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ· καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. ὠργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. ὁ οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρί· ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ· ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν· εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness - an intelligently free and immortal life...Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!' (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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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

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.


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Master Calendar

  • Master Calendar

    February 12 to February 27, 2023

    Sunday, February 12

    Fr Theofanis on Call - 727-244-6842

    Sunday of the Prodigal Son

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM Sunday School-after Communion

    1:00PM Philoptochos Membership Tea

    Monday, February 13

    Martinian of Palestine

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    4:00PM Dance Ministry

    Tuesday, February 14

    Holy Father Auxentius of the Mountain

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM Orthodoxy 101

    7:00PM Learn Conversational Greek

    Wednesday, February 15

    Onesimus the Apostle of the 70

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    6:00PM Paraklesis to Theotokos

    7:00PM GOYA - Meeting place to be announced soon

    7:00PM Clergy Laity Mtg

    Thursday, February 16

    Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:30AM Women's Book Club

    4:30PM Greek School

    7:00PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM Tampa Bay Youth Chorus

    Friday, February 17

    Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    3:00PM Open Confessions - No Appointment Needed

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    Saturday, February 18

    Saturday of Souls

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Saturday of Souls Memorial Service

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    7:00PM YAL Fellowship

    Sunday, February 19

    Fr Athanasios on Call - 727-741-0139

    Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM Sunday School-after Communion

    Monday, February 20

    Leo, Bishop of Catania

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    Tuesday, February 21

    Timothy the Righteous

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM Orthodoxy 101

    7:00PM Learn Conversational Greek

    Wednesday, February 22

    The Finding of the Precious Relics of the Holy Martyrs in the Quarter of Eugenius

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    6:00PM Paraklesis to Theotokos

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Thursday, February 23

    Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:30AM Women's Book Club

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    7:00PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM Tampa Bay Youth Chorus

    Friday, February 24

    GOYA Lenten Retreat

    First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    3:00PM Open Confessions - No Appointment Needed

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    Saturday, February 25

    Cheesefare Saturday

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Memorial Service

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, February 26

    Fr Theofanis on Call - 727-244-6842

    Forgiveness Sunday

    7:45AM Othros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM Sunday School-after Communion

    6:00PM Forgiveness Vespers

    Monday, February 27

    KATHARA DEFTERA

    Procopius the Confessor of Decapolis

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Important Announcements

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Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar

  • Tampa Bay GOA Calendar

    February 16 to March 11, 2023

    Thursday, February 16

    7:00PM Tampa Bay Youth Chorus

    Friday, February 17

    7:30AM Palm Harbor Greek Festival

    Saturday, February 18

    10:00AM St. John's Men's Retreat

    6:00PM Palm Harbor Greek Festival

    Thursday, February 23

    7:00PM Tampa Bay Youth Chorus

    Friday, February 24

    GOYA Lenten Retreat

    Thursday, March 2

    7:00PM Tampa Bay Youth Chorus

    Thursday, March 9

    7:00PM Tampa Bay Youth Chorus

    Saturday, March 11

    Tampa Bay YAL Retreat

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