Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, December 25, Holy Nativity, December 25

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1 Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, December 25, 2016 Holy Nativity, December 25

2 Peoples were registered according to Caesar s decree, as the faithful were inscribed in Your Divine Name, Who became man, our God. Great is Your mercy, glory to You. (From the hymns of Christmas Vespers service) My Beloved, Merry Christmas! By God s grace we have been deemed worthy once again to celebrate the Great Mystery of the Incarnation of the Savior, Who comes to bring love, peace and joy to a very troubled and disheartened world steeped in sin. I join you in happiness and reverence to witness the miracle of the Nativity, and it is my heartfelt wish that you have a Merry Christmas as well as prosperity in Christ. May the Merciful King always strengthen and multiply every good initiative that helps us to progress in God. With paternal love in our Lord, + A L E X I O S Metropolitan of Atlanta

3 TODAY S SPECIAL SERVICES NO SPECIAL SERVICES 40-DAY PRAYER LIST Costas, Christina, Kalliopi, Eleni, Anastasia, Ioanna, Andriani, Styliani, Joanne, Patty, Andreas, Eleni, Anna, Dimitrios, Ioanna, Lefkothea, Christoforos, Irene, George, Ioannis, Kyriaki, Georgia, Simela, Katerina, Maria, Kosta, Maria, Maria, Christos, Kalotina Prayer for a Sick Person Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your onlybegotten 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. Names will be taken off the list after 40 days. To keep or add your loved ones names on the list, please contact Soultana via (soultana@stnicholastarpon.org) or telephone ( ) by Monday at 5:00 pm.

4 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:4-7 Ἀ δελφοί, ὅτε ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν. Ὅτι δέ ἐστε υἱοί, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, κρᾶζον, Ἀββᾶ, ὁ πατήρ. Ὥστε οὐκέτι εἶ δοῦλος, ἀλλʼ υἱός εἰ δὲ υἱός, καὶ κληρονόμος θεοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 2:1-12 Τ οῦ δὲ Ιησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ιουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ηρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ιεροσόλυμαλέγοντες ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ιουδαίων; εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. Ακούσας δὲ Ηρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐταράχθη καὶ πᾶσα Ιεροσόλυμα μετ αὐτοῦ,καὶ συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐπυνθάνετο παρ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται.οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ιουδαίας οὕτω γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου καὶ σὺ Βηθλεέμ, γῆ Ιούδα,οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ιούδα ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος,ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ισραήλ. Τότε Ηρῴδης λάθρα καλέσας τοὺς μάγους ἠκρίβωσε παρ αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος,καὶ πέμψας αὐτοὺς εἰς Βηθλεὲμ εἶπε πορευθέντες ἀκριβῶς ἐξετάσατε περὶ τοῦ παιδίου, ἐπὰν δὲ εὕρητε, ἀπαγγείλατέ μοι, ὅπως κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ.οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀστὴρ ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ προῆγεν αὐτούς, ἕως ἐλθὼν ἔστη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα,καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν καὶ χρηματισθέντες κατ ὄναρ μὴ ἀνακάμψαι πρὸς Ηρῴδην, δι ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν. Η ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ Η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι ένα από τα Μυστήρια της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας και προσφέρεται αποκλειστικά σε βαπτισμένους ή/και χρισμένους Ορθόδοξους Χριστιανούς, οι οποίοι έχουν προετοιμαστεί να λάβουν το Σώμα και το Αίμα του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού. Καθώς προσέρχεστε να κοινωνήσετε, σας παρακαλούμε να ακολουθείτε τις οδηγίες των Συμβούλων της Ενορίας και λοιπών ταξιθετών. Σας θυμίζουμε επίσης πως το Αντίδωρο προσφέρεται στο τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας και μπορούν να το λάβουν όλοι.

5 EPISTLE Galatians 4:4-7 B rethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ. GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12 W hen Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. HOLY EUCHARIST (HOLY COMMUNION) Holy Communion is a Sacrament within the Orthodox Church and is only offered to Baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As you come to receive, please follow the direction of the Parish Council Members, Ushers, and Acolytes. We remind everyone that the Blessed Bread (Antidoron) offered at the end of the Divine Liturgy may be received by all.

6 Variable Sunday Liturgy Hymns Ἀπολυτίκιον Τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσμῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Κοντάκιον Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῷ ἀπροσίτῳ προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι μετὰ Ποιμένων δοξολογοῦσι. Μάγοι δὲ μετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι δι' ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός. Apolytikion of the Feast Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. Kontakion On this day the Virgin gives birth to the Superessential. To the Unapproachable, earth is providing the grotto. Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. Following a star the Magi are still proceeding. He was born for our salvation, a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. Saints and Feasts of the Week HOLY NATIVITY The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10). Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). But while the earth gave the new-born Savior such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).

7 Saints and Feasts of the Week ADORATION OF THE MAGI The Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. St John Chrysostom and St Theophylactus, commenting on St Matthew s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star. St Demetrius of Rostov says it was a manifestation of divine energy. Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Mt. 2:11) ΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΜΑΓΩΝ Μαζί με την κατά σάρκα γέννηση του Κυρίου μας, μνημονεύονται και οι Μάγοι που προσκύνησαν τον Ιησού Χριστό στο σπήλαιο της Βηθλεέμ. STEPHEN, ARCHDEACON & FIRST MARTYR Saint Stephen was a Jew, by race. He was the first of the seven deacons whom the Apostles established in Jerusalem to care for the poor, and to distribute alms to them. Being a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, he performed great signs and wonders among the people. While disputing with the Jews concerning Jesus, and wisely refuting their every contradiction, he was slandered as a blasphemer. There with boldness he proved from the divine Scriptures the coming of the Just One (Jesus), of Whom they had become the betrayers and murderers, and he reproved their faithless and hardheartedness. And finally, gazing into Heaven and beholding the divine glory, he said: "Lo, I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." But when they heard this, they stopped up their ears, and with anger cast him out of the city and stoned him, while he was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then, imitating the long-suffering of the Master, he bent his knees and prayed in a loud voice for them that were stoning him, and he said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Saying this, he fell asleep, thus becoming the first among the Martyrs of the Church of Christ. ΆΓ. ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΣ Ο ΠΡΩΤΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΑΣ & ΑΡΧΙΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ Ο Άγιος Στέφανος ήταν ένας από τους πιο διακεκριμένους μεταξύ των επτά διακόνων, που εξέλεξαν οι πρώτοι χριστιανοί για να επιστατούν στις κοινές τράπεζες των αδελφών, ώστε να μη γίνονται λάθη και τους χειροτόνησαν οι Άγιοι Απόστολοι. Αν και κουραστική η ευθύνη του επιστάτη για τόσους αδερφούς, ο Στέφανος έβρισκε καιρό και δύναμη για να κηρύττει το Ευαγγέλιο του Χριστού. Γεμάτος πίστη και χάρισμα ευγλωττίας δυνατό, έκανε μεταξύ του λαού μεγάλα θαύματα, που προκαλούσαν κατάπληξη και αποδείκνυαν την αλήθεια του χριστιανικού κηρύγματος. Ο Στέφανος είχε αφιερώσει τη ζωή του στο κήρυγμα του ευαγγελικού λόγου και στη φιλανθρωπική δράση. Για τη προσφορά και τις αρετές του τιμήθηκε με το χάρισμα της θαυματουργίας, θεραπεύοντας ασθενείς. Με τη βαθιά θεολογική του κατάρτιση ανέτρεπε εύκολα τις κακοδοξίες των Ιουδαίων για το έργο του Χριστού, προκαλώντας την οργή και το φθόνο τους. Οι Ιουδαίοι, όμως, εξαπέλυσαν συκοφάντες ανάμεσα στο λαό, που διέδιδαν ότι άκουσαν το Στέφανο να βλαστημεί το Μωϋσή και το Θεό. Έτσι, άρπαξαν με μίσος το Στέφανο και τον οδήγησαν μπροστά στο Συνέδριο, τάχα για να απολογηθεί. Η απολογία του Στεφάνου υπήρξε πρότυπο τόλμης και θάρρους. Χωρίς να φοβηθεί, εξαπέλυσε λόγια - κεραυνούς εναντίον των Ιουδαίων. Και από υπόδικος, ορθώθηκε θυελλώδης ελεγκτής και κατήγορος. Τότε οι Ιουδαίοι τον έσυραν έξω από την πόλη, όπου τον θανάτωσαν με λιθοβολισμό. Εκεί φάνηκε και η μεγάλη συγχωρητικότητα του Στεφάνου προς τους εχθρούς του με τη φράση του, «Κύριε, μὴ στήσης αὐτοῖς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ταύτην». Κύριε μη λογαριάσεις σ αυτούς την αμαρτία αυτή.

8 CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP IS learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ s Church; it is learning how to enjoy Church life and be happy in Church work., for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God. our active commitment to use all our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgment of Christ s redeeming love. caring for the needs of others. offering one s self to God as He offered Himself to us. what a person does after saying I believe, as proof of that belief. devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as diocese/metropolis, as national Church and as Church universal. Williams & McKibben in Oriented Leadership COUNCIL MEMBERS ON DUTY TODAY George Stamas Mike Kouremetis Themis Fountotos Tezza Irene Karavokiros Maria Klonaris Chris Palaidis John Stamas

9 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Saturday, December 24, 2016, St Eugenia & Christmas Eve Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Orthros of the Nativity 5:00 pm Divine Liturgy of the Nativity 6:00 pm Sunday, December 25, 2016, Christmas Day Orthros Divine Liturgy 8:00 am 9:00 am Monday, December 26, 2016 St Stefanos, th Street North, St Petersburg, FL Vespers 6:00 pm Tuesday, December 27, 2016 St Stefanos the First Martyr St Stefanos, th Street North, St Petersburg, FL Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Sunday, January 1, 2017, St Basil & Circumcision of Christ Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy of St Basil 9:00 am Tuesday, January 3, 2017, St Nikiforos Orthros Divine Liturgy Thursday, January 5, 2017, Eve of Epiphany Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil, followed by Blessing of the Waters Friday, January 6, 2017, Holy Epiphany Orthros Archierarchical Liturgy Blessing of Waters (Cathedral) Procession to Spring Bayou Blessing of Tarpon Springs & Spring Bayou 8:00 am 9:00 am 8:00 am 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:30 am 12:15 pm 1:00 pm

10 DEBT ELIMINATION PLEDGES RECEIVED 2016 (As of December 22, 2016) Rev Fr Sampson & Presvytera Mallory Kasapakis 1910 Inn Angeliadis, Gregory & Maria Anonymous donations Anonymous donation (In memory of Jack Gombos) Arfaras, Dukessa Bakas, Elizabeth (In memory of Athanasios Triantafilles) Chagaris, Nicholas & Tina Christoforos, Nick Coburn, Kyle Ergas, Michael Fatolitis, Evelyn (In memory of George Karaphillis; in memory of Nicholas & Kalliope Manias) Giannas, Pericles & Evy Golden Brush - Drosso Kapaniris Haskopoulos, Evangelia Ioannidis, Emmanuel & Anna IUPAT District Council 78 Johnson, William & Sherry Kales, Trifon & Alexa Kalymnian Society Katsaras, Kaliope Kavouklis, Laz & Maria Kipreos, Olga Klimis, Harry & Effemia Klimis, Michael Koukoulakis, Maria Kouremetis, Michael & Terri Kouremetis, Sevasti Koukoutis, N. Michael & Tina Koutelas, Irene Lelekis, John & Calliope MAJ Investments Manias, Nikitas & Aspasia Markos Jewelry Ring Donation Nelsen, William & Leoni Ognenovski, Vlado & Violeta Pappas, Bessie Parish Council Patsalides, Harry & Anna Psilakis, Erasmia Royal Bridge Shoemaker, James & Catherine Shontz, Alexandra St Nicholas Bookstore St Nicholas Dance Ministry Mrs Tagarelli, Albert Tsantakis, Christina Vouvalis, Nicholas Ypsilantis, Hercules (In memory of Kivotos & Rousa Ypsilantis) Zantopoulos, Bessie DEBT ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN The St Nicholas Community thanks all who have pledged to help eliminate our debt. Though $1,000 is the target amount, no amount is too small or too large. If you are unable to help, we welcome your prayers and moral support. Campaign Status as of Thursday, December 22, 2016 Debt Elimination Pledges Received $ 171, Debt Elimination Monies Received $ 182, Credit Line Balance $ 58, Please contact treasurer Anna Billiris with questions regarding this report. She may be reached at or abilliris@usameribank.com.

11 Tarpon Springs Halki Society Dinner Dance Honoring the Heroes of Epiphany & Honored Guests Mayor Mihali Patros of Halki, Greece Mayor Ioannis Galoozis of Kalymnos, Greece $50.00 Sunday, January 8, :00 pm - 11:00 pm Fr Tryfon Hall 36 N. Pinellas Avenue Tarpon Springs, FL Music: DJ Alexandros For tickets or information contact: Joyce Pappas, Chair at

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14 OUR PRIESTS ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU F r. A t h a n a s i o s H a r o s ( , f r a t h a n a - s i o s t n i c h o l a s t a r p o n. o r g ) a n d F r. S a m p s o n K a s a p a k i s ( , frsampson@stnicholastarpon.org) are here to serve you. Please call, text or them for any spiritual needs. Kindly do not use the priests social media sites (e.g. Facebook) for emergencies, as your message might be inadvertently overlooked. Ο Πατήρ Αθανάσιος και ο Πατήρ Σαμψών είναι καθημερινά στην διάθεσή σας. Παρακαλούμε να τους καλείτε στα κινητά τους τηλέφωνα για πνευματικές ανάγκες. ST NICHOLAS KITCHEN St Nicholas Kitchen is an outreach ministry which provides a hot meal and fellowship to those in need. Volunteers for cooking, serving meals and cleanup between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm - along with monetary donations for the purchase of food - are welcome and needed. Remember 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. Your assistance helps feed approximately 100 people every Monday. Thank you for your support. Please call Chris Palaidis at for further information. TOP EPIPHANY ESSAYS Each year, as part of the Epiphany Celebration process for our young men, they are to write an essay about what the celebration of Epiphany means to them. The top four essays were chosen and will be presented in church on January 1, 2017, after Divine Liturgy. Congratulations! -Angelos Petalas, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral -Michael Vlahos, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church -Panagiotis Christoforos, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral -George Emanuel Mastrovasilis, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral

15 HOLY CONFESSION AVAILABLE Holy Confession is an important part of our preparation for Christmas. Don't let the commotion of shopping and decorating keep you from the spiritual preparation. Contact Fr Athanasios to schedule a confession before Christmas. HOUSE BLESSINGS House Blessings will begin on January 9. Please contact Soultana at the parish office ( , soultana@stnicholastarpon.org) to schedule your home or business blessing. Morning, afternoon and evening times will be available. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EPIPHANY Your help is needed! Please contact Soultana at to volunteer for the annual St. Nicholas Epiphany Glendi that will be held at the St Nicholas Community Center on Friday, January 6. Thank you, in advance, for the anticipated sharing of your valuable time to help our parish. LETTERS OF GOOD STANDING Are you participating in a sacrament and need to prove you are an active member of St Nicholas Cathedral? Letters of good sacramental & financial standing are provided following a meeting with the Dean of the Cathedral; please plan your appointment with Fr Athanasios well in advance in order to meet all deadlines prior to the scheduled sacrament. You may contact Fr Athanasios by calling or ing frathanasios@stnicholastarpon.org.

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20 CATHEDRAL ORNAMENT SERIES St. Nicholas Cathedral Epiphany Epiphany Diver These beautiful ornaments are 24k-gold-plate etched on brass $20 each Get yours today at the Cathedral narthex... and every day at the Cathedral Office (17 E. Tarpon Ave) Tel (727) ARTOKLASIES / MEMORIAL SERVICES Contemplating having an artoklasia or a memorial service? Kindly call Soultana in our parish office at to make arrangements. Kollyva for memorials (μνημόσυνα) may be ordered through: Antonia Korfias ( ) Irene Koutelas ( ) Evangelia Stavropoulos ( ) Contact info for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement. WEDNESDAY SERVICES Please join us every Wednesday for our weekly evening service at 6:00 pm. EVERY 1st WEDNESDAY: Agiasmos EVERY 2nd WEDNESDAY: Paraklesis to St. Nicholas EVERY 3rd WEDNESDAY: Paraklesis to Theotokos EVERY 4th WEDNESDAY: Holy Unction

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22 Sunday School News December th Children Celebrate Divine Liturgy with Their Families January st Children Celebrate Divine Liturgy with Their Families 8 th Class, Theophania Lesson 15 th - Class 22 nd - Class 29 th Class, Godparent Sunday LITTLE LAMBS CALENDAR

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24 ST NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS Monday: 9:00-10:00 am; Tue-Wed: 10:00 am - noon 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 to help of the Church through fund-raising efforts. St Nicholas Philoptochos Christmas Party * Philoptochos presented a check in the amount of $1,000 to The Haven of RCS domestic violence center. In addition, the children of the Sunday School Pre-K/K classes made prayer boxes that were donated to the children at the Domestic Violence Center. A special thank you to all who brought gifts cards for The Haven; a total of $ was collected to give to the victims of domestic violence. * Thank you to all those that helped with the making of the Christmas Bells that will be distributed to those in the nursing homes and hospitals. * Congratulations to Argie Sourvanos, recipient of the iwatch! January 15, 2017 Membership Tea St. Nicholas Community Center St Nicholas Philoptochos, 18 Hibiscus St (directly behind St. Nicholas Cathedral) Mailing address: P.O. Box 2043, Tarpon Springs, FL Tel:

25 VOLUNTEER AT THE COLD NIGHT SHELTER The First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Tarpon Springs has graciously opened its doors to families without heat, and to the homeless, during the cold winter months when the temperatures fall below 40 degrees. They will provide a warm overnight facility for those in need, along with some food and hot beverages. This occurs approximately 4 to 5 nights each winter, and some 30 to 40 people come to the shelter. Teams of volunteers from various churches and local organizations set up the facility for the night, serve food and otherwise ensure a safe and warm overnight experience. All participants are asked to leave the facility no later than 7 am the flowing morning. The volunteers then clean-up the facility and prepare it for the day s regular activities. The church is recruiting teams of volunteers to help with this effort and will be seeking donations of food and beverages on the nights when the shelter is open. The contact person for the FUMC Cold Night Shelter is Fran Antonellis and can be reached at the church by phone or ; fran@fumctarponsprings.org. INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION Does the Byzantine era inspire you? Do you love writing poetry? Are you fluent in Greek? Submit your entry today to the Byzantine Inspirations International Poetry Competition, organized by the European Art Center in collaboration with the American Society of Byzantine Music & Hymnology. All entries due March 1, For more information, please contact Soultana at the parish office (soultana@stnicholastarpon.org, ). LET US HOST YOUR NEXT PARTY Reserve Father Tryfon Hall or the Community Center for your next event in Visit the hall rental w e b s i t e a t h t t p : / / or call the church office at

26 ST NICHOLAS BOOKSTORE Holiday Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Tel The perfect place to purchase meaningful gifts and support our Cathedral. We offer a large selection of books on Orthodoxy, Bibles, icons, CDs, DVDs and more. 20% off children's Christmas books! Open a book to a world of light! A Faith Encouraged $20.00 This guidebook offers Scriptural reflections for each workday of the year to inspire us to live out our faith in the real world every day, with devotionals that are meant to aid the reader in breaking out of the Sunday only" notion of faith. The Illness and Cure of the Soul In the Orthodox Tradition $20.00 Renowned theologian Archimandrite Hierotheos presents his conviction that man's soul suffers illness that distorts his relationship with God, fellow men and nature. This book was used in a lecture series on Orthodox psychotherapy, demonstrating how this illness can be cured in the hospital of the Church. Epiphany Icons $ $36.00 Beautiful Icons of the Baptism of Christ are in stock. A large selection of St. John the Forerunner, and other saints and festal events icons, are available in various sizes and designs Orthodox Calendars $ $15.00 St. Anthony's English- Greek wall calendars show photographs of the churches, chapels, and grounds of the monastery and its surroundings. Ancient Faith wall calendars show icons of the Apostles, Evangelists, and Enlighteners of the World; a Julian calendar version is also available. Gift Certificates Can t decide between our hundreds of gift items? Gift certificates are available in any amount and never expire! FOLLOW ST NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL BOOKSTORE ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM!

27 DEC. 26-JAN. 1 SCHEDULE On-call for emergencies this week: Fr Sampson Kasapakis, LITURGICAL SERVICES OFFICE AND MINISTRIES Monday Δευτέρα DECEMBER 26 St St Stefanos, St Petersburg Vespers 6:00 pm OFFICE & CATHEDRAL CLOSED Dance Ministry, 4:00 pm, Comm Center Hall Tuesday Τρίτη DECEMBER 27 St St Stefanos, St Petersburg Orthros/DL 9:00 am Bookstore, T-F 10:00 am-2:00 pm Basketball Ministry, 6:00 pm, Gym Boy Scouts, 7:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Wednesday Τετάρτη DECEMBER 28 Holy Unction 6:00 pm Little Lambs, 10:00 am, Sunday School Room on Hibiscus Thursday Πέμπτη DECEMBER 29 Choir, 6:30 pm Friday Παρασκευή DECEMBER 30 Saturday Σάββατο DECEMBER 31 Sunday Κυριακή JANUARY 1 Orthros & Divine Liturgy of the St Basil Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία Αγ. Βασιλείου 8:00 am Bookstore Closed

28 SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 17 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL Tel: Fax: CATHEDRAL OPEN FOR PRAYER: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Fr Athanasios Haros, Dean Fr. Sampson Kasapakis, Assistant Priest Michael Kouremetis, Council President Soultana Kalligas, Administrative Assistant Jocelyn Chapman, Bookkeeper / Hall Rentals PARISH MINISTRIES & DEPARTMENTS ALTAR SERVERS J. Theophilopoulos BOOKSTORE Vasilis Panageotou BOY SCOUTS Theodora Genduso & Antonino Genduso BYZANTINE ARTS ACADEMY -- Fr Sampson Kasapakis CHANTER Theofanis Katsiklis CHOIR, 1 st DL Katie Faklis CHOIR, 2 nd DL DeRose Andropoulos DANCE MINISTRY Maria Kouskoutis & Eva Athanasatos EDUCATION, CULTURE & YOUTH Karen Markopulos EPIPHANY COMMITTEE Emmanuel Gombos & Johanna Kossifidis GOYA (6th-12th grade) Theodora Stathakis & Emmanuel Gombos & Penny Lambrianos GREEK SCHOOL Chris Palaidis HOPE (Pre-K-7th grade) -- Melissa Tsongranis LITTLE LAMBS (40 days-3 years old)-- Presvytera Mallory Kasapakis ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL -- Maria Angeliadis PHILADELFIA MEN S MINISTRY -- George Tsongranis PHILOPTOCHOS Tina Chagaris PRESCHOOL Jane Malone STEWARDSHIP Charles Samarkos SUNDAY SCHOOL Galatiani Leadbetter YOUNG ADULT LEADERS (YAL) -- Fr Sampson Kasapakis YOUTH CHOIR -- Diane Anastasiades ORGANIZATIONS & SOCIETIES AHEPA Tim Keffalas DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Margo Filley ATHENIAN SOCIETY Helen Kariofilis CHIOS SOCIETY Chrysanthi Psoras CRETAN SOCIETY Angelo Sakis HALKI SOCIETY Michele Manousos HELLENIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION Maria Keramas KALYMNIAN SOCIETY Nikolas Sazalis LACONIAN SOCIETY Theodore Tsafatinos PANCYPRIAN SOCIETY Angela Georgiadis PROMETHEAS SOCIETY Effie Vassiliou SYMIAN SOCIETY Michael Faklis SUPPORT ST NICHOLAS WITH A BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENT OR ICON AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT ST NICHOLAS PARISH OFFICE Images of Cathedral, Epiphany or Cross Diver 24-karat gold etched on brass St Nicholas Made from Cathedral dome copper 17 E. TARPON AVE TARPON SPRINGS, FL