Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, January 22, St Gregory the Theologian, January 25

Transcript

1 Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, January 22, 2017 St Gregory the Theologian, January 25

2 WEEKLY MESSAGE In just two weeks we will again begin a spiritual journey as Orthodox Christians. Our annual journey toward Pascha will begin February 5, with the beginning of the Triodion, and come to a grand conclusion on Sunday, April 16, when we will celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. But long before we can celebrate, we have some preparations to focus on. Long before we can see the Lord on Pascha we need to get ourselves ready today. If we want to see the Lord, we need to plan ahead. With Christmas and Epiphany in our rearview mirror, today the Church gives us a glimpse of what is to come. Today the Church draws our attention to a short man who sought to see who Jesus was. (Luke 19.3) We know him as Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus because he was too short. This Gospel is read each year two weeks before the Triodion begins. When you hear about Zacchaeus, you know the Triodion and Great Lent are just around the corner. But it is never just a story. The Church invites us to learn from Zacchaeus for our journey that is about to begin. What are we asked to learn? Zacchaeus was a sinner and was lost. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. Zacchaeus planned in advance to see Jesus. Zacchaeus put his plan into action to see Jesus. Zacchaeus saw Jesus. Zacchaeus heard Jesus call out to him. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home. Zacchaeus gave half of his wealth to the poor. Zacchaeus repaid all the people he stole money from by four times. Jesus came to save the lost. Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house. The crowd didn t want Jesus to visit Zacchaeus. With the Triodion only two weeks away, I invite you to replace the name Zacchaeus with your name. Then go back and read the story and ask yourself... What is my plan to be saved by God? How will I put my plan into action? How will I welcome God into my heart and home? How will I repent for my sins? How will I respond when the crowd doesn t want me to see Jesus? Remember... The Church is the Body of Christ. The Church is here to help you answer these questions. Trust the Church.

3 MEMORIALS 40-day: 1-year: 2-year: 6-year: 7-year: 19-year: Over 20-year: TODAY S SPECIAL SERVICES FIRST DIVINE LITURGY Dimitrios Hatzileris Harikleia Targakis Michael Paravalos Konstantinos Tsagaris Ioannis Aggeletos Ismini (Esmine) Spirides Dionysios Spirides MEMORIALS 3-month: 1-year: SECOND DIVINE LITURGY Christopher Genna Antonios Axiotis 40-DAY PRAYER LIST Costas, 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, Matthew, Simeon, Irene, Giannis, Nomiki, Diasynou, Eleni, Niki 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 Τιμόθεον Αʹ 4:9-15 Τ έκνον Τιμόθεε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ κοπιῶμεν καὶ ὀνειδιζόμεθα, ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ Θεῷ ζῶντι, ὅς ἐστι Σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, μάλιστα πιστῶν. Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε. Μηδείς σου τῆς νεό- τητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πνεύματι, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ. Ἕως ἔρχομαι πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. Μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. Ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ ἐν πᾶσιν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν ιθʹ 1-10 Τ ῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὴν Ἰεριχώ καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν Ἰησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι δι' ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτόν καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον Ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς Ἀβραάμ ἐστιν ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός. 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 Timothy I 4:9-15 T imothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. GOSPEL Luke 19:1-10 A t that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." 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 Ἀναστάσιμον Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Χρηστότητα ἐκδιδαχθείς, καὶ νήφων ἐν πᾶσιν, ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν ἱεροπρεπῶς ἐνδυσάμενος, ἤντλησας ἐκ τοῦ Σκεύους τῆς ἐκλογῆς τὰ ἀπόῤῥητα καὶ τὴν πίστιν τηρήσας, τὸν ἴσον δρόμον τετέλεκας, Ἀπόστολε Τιμόθεε. Πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Τοῦ Μάρτυρος Ὁ Μάρτυς σου Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἀθλήσει αὐτοῦ, τὸ στέφος ἐκομίσατο τῆς ἀφθαρσίας, ἐκ σοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἔχων γὰρ τὴν ἰσχύν σου, τοὺς τυράννους καθεῖλεν ἔθραυσε καὶ δαιμόνων, τὰ ἀνίσχυρα θράση, αὐτοῦ ταῖς ἱκεσίαις Χριστέ, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Τοῦ Ναοῦ Κανόνα πίστεως και εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τη ποίμνη σου, η των πραγμάτων αλήθεια δια τούτο εκτήσω τη ταπεινώσει τα υψηλά, τη πτωχεία τα πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τω Θεώ, σωθήναι τας ψυχάς ημών. Κοντάκιον Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῷ τόκῳ σου, καὶ χεῖρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νῦν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος. Resurrectional Apolytikion When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You. For the Apostle Having learned kindness, and being always steady and sober, vested with a good conscience as befits a priest, you drew out from the Chosen Vessel the secrets of God. And having kept the faith, you have finished the fair race, O Hieromartyr Timothy. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. For the Martyr Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, dashing the demons' powerless displays of defiance. O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls. Of the Church As rule of the faith and picture of gentleness, and teacher of temperance you were exhibited to your flock, by the truth of the evidence, Thus you acquired the lofty through humility, abundance through poverty. Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved. Kontakion You sanctified the virginal womb by Your birth, O Lord, and blessed the hands of Symeon fittingly, O Christ God; and even now You came and saved us. Now, give peace to our Nation in time of war, and empower our Leaders, so loved by You, the only one who loves humanity.

7 Saints and Feasts of the Week SAINT XENI Saint Xenia of Rome, in the world Eusebia, was the only daughter of an eminent Roman senator. From her youth she loved God, and wished to avoid the marriage arranged for her. She secretly left her parental home with two servants devoted to her, and set sail upon a ship. Through the Providence of God she met the head of the monastery of the holy Apostle Andrew in a town of Caria (Asia Minor). She besought him to take her and her companions with him. She also changed her name, calling herself Xenia. She bought land, built a church dedicated to St Stephen, and founded a woman s monastery. Soon after this, Bishop Paul of Milassa made Xenia a deaconess. The saint helped everyone: for the destitute, she was a benefactress; for the griefstricken, a comforter; for sinners, a guide to repentance. She possessed a deep humility, accounting herself the worst and most sinful of all. In her ascetic deeds she was guided by the counsels of the Palestinian ascetic, St Euthymius. The sublime life of St Xenia drew many souls to Christ. The holy virgin died in 450 while she was praying. During her funeral, a luminous wreath of stars surrounding a radiant cross appeared over the monastery in the heavens. This sign accompanied the body of the saint when it was carried into the city, and remained until the saint s burial. ΟΣΙΑ ΞΕΝΗ Η Οσία Ξένη έζησε τον 5ο μ.χ. αιώνα. Ονομαζόταν στην αρχή Ευσεβεία και καταγόταν από τη Ρώμη. Αρνούμενη τη πίεση των γονιών της να νυμφευθεί άνδρα της επιλογής τους, φεύγει κρυφά στην Αλεξάνδρεια όπου μετονομάσθηκε Ξένη. Πηγαίνει στο νησί της Κω και στη συνέχεια εγκαθίσταται στα Μύλασσα της Καρίας. Εκεί, μαζί με δύο υπηρέτριές (θεραπαινίδες) της που της είχαν μείνει πιστές, έκτισε ναό στο όνομα του αγίου πρωτομάρτυρα Στεφάνου και ησυχαστικά κελιά. Πολύ γρήγορα η φήμη της και η ενάρετη ασκητική ζωή που διήγε έφεραν κοντά της νέες κοπέλες που ποθούσαν το βίο της άσκησης και της προσευχής, ενώ το μοναστήρι έγινε περίφημο πνευματικό κέντρο, όπου καθημερινά συνέρεαν πολλές πονεμένες γυναίκες για να πάρουν τις συμβουλές και να ζητήσουν τις προσευχές της αγίας. Η αγιοσύνη της αναγνωρίσθηκε και κατά τη διάρκεια του ενταφιασμού του σεπτού της σκηνώματος, όταν εμφανίσθηκε στον ουρανό σταυρός σχηματισμένος από αστέρια. REMOVAL OF THE RELICS OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM This event took place in 438, when St Theodosius the Younger had been Emperor for 30 years; he was the son of Arcadius and Eudoxia, who had exiled Saint John. The Archbishop of Constantinople was Proclus, who had been the Saint's disciple. ΑΝΑΚΟΜΙΔΗ ΛΕΨΑΝΩΝ ΑΓ. ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΧΡΥΣΟΣΤΟΜΟΥ Είναι γνωστός ο μαρτυρικός θάνατος του μεγάλου διδασκάλου της Εκκλησίας Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόμου. Από το ένα μέρος οι σκοτεινοί και μοχθηροί επίσκοποι πού δεν άντεχαν την υπεροχή και τη δόξα του, από το άλλο οι αυλικές ραδιουργίες και εμπάθειες με πρωταγωνίστρια τη βασίλισσα Ευδοξία, επέφεραν τελικά την εξορία του. Κατά τη διάρκεια δε αυτής, οι εχθροί του πήραν όλα τα ωμά μέτρα για να πολλαπλασιάσουν τίς θλίψεις του. Τελικά, μ' αυτό το σκληρό τρόπο επέφεραν το θάνατο του. Ετάφη σε μια εκκλησία του χωριού Κόμανα της Καππαδοκίας. Το λείψανο του έμεινε 30 ολόκληρα χρόνια εκεί. Αλλά κάθε δοκιμασία προς το παρόν δε φαίνεται πρόξενος χαράς, αλλά λύπης. Ύστερα, όμως, ανταμείβει εκείνους πού δοκιμάστηκαν, με καρπό ειρηνικό, πού είναι δικαιοσύνη και αγιότητα. Πράγματι, έτσι έγινε και με τον Ιωάννη το Χρυσόστομο. Στίς 27 Ιανουαρίου 438, όταν Πατριάρχης ήταν ο μαθητής του Πρόκλος και αυτοκράτωρ ο Θεοδόσιος ο Β', μεταφέρεται το λείψανο του στην Κων/πολη. Τίθεται στο νάο των Αγίων Αποστόλων και ο πολυπληθής λαός, έξαλλος από χαρά, φώναζε: "απόλαβε τον θρόνον σου, Άγιε!"

8 DEBT ELIMINATION PLEDGES RECEIVED 2016 (As of January 19, 2017) 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 Samarkos, Charles Shoemaker, James & Catherine Shontz, Alexandra St Nicholas Bookstore St Nicholas Dance Ministry Mrs Tagarelli, Albert Tsantakis, Christina Vatikiotis, Costas & Darlene 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, January 19, 2017 Debt Elimination Pledges Received $ 171, Debt Elimination Monies Received $ 188, Credit Line Balance $ 51, Please contact treasurer Anna Billiris with questions regarding this report. She may be reached at or abilliris@usameribank.com.

9 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 Nikitas Manias Themis Fountotos Tezza Irene Karavokiros Emm. Gombos Chris Palaidis John Stamas

10 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. 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.

11 GODPARENTS SUNDAY Please join us for worship on Sunday, February 5, as we celebrate Godparents Sunday. It is a wonderful opportunity for our youth to attend Divine Liturgy with their Godparents; we will also hand out "Pascha Passports for Godparents to give to their Godchildren, in order to prepare for the Lenten Journey! After Liturgy, a luncheon will be hosted at the Community Center for us to come all together as a St. Nicholas Cathedral Family. Hope to see you there! VOLUNTEER WITH THE ARC TAMPA BAY There are many ways to get involved with The Arc Tampa Bay. One of the most rewarding is to volunteer your time and talents to help. You will be doing such things as assisting consumers, reading stories, helping with academic projects, playing cards, board games, calling bingo and class outings. Our volunteers offer dedication and spirit that provides invaluable assistance to the individuals that we serve. Our volunteers say the time they spend with our consumers is the highlight of their day. Another option is to get involved with our Advocacy Program. You can volunteer to make a difference in the life of a The Arc Tampa Bay Client just by providing one on one support and friendship. Clients benefit from simple experiences such as shopping trips and other outings. To help with one of the many volunteer opportunities, please contact Deborah Simeone, Volunteer Coordinator, at ext

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13 Sunday School News January Class 29 - Class February Godparent Sunday; Celebrate Divine Liturgy with family & godparents; Holy Friday Retreat registration begins (online only) 12 - Class 19 - Class 26 - Class: Sunday of Forgiveness Lesson; Mission Box distribution March Class: Sunday of Orthodoxy (details to be announced) 12 -Class 19 -Class 26 -Class; Holy Friday Registration Deadline We appreciate your commitment and dedication to Sunday School! Middle-schoolers and thirdgraders came together on Jan. 15 for a treat of a lesson at the Sunday School! VASILOPITA LESSON

14 GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Tickets to the Youth Talent Show of Tampa Bay are now available for purchase through the St Nicholas Parish Office. Proceeds from the event, scheduled to take place at the Palm Harbor University Theater (1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor, FL), will go toward the building of the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, NC. Call Soultana at to purchase your $15- or $20-seats today!

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16 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. Philoptochos Silver Membership Tea Thank you to those that attend the Membership Tea. It was beautiful to have a room filled with love and fellowship. Thank you to Melissa Tsongranis for her wonderful words of encouragement on love, family and our faith. Congratulations to Stephanie Georgion and Kassiani Glenn for their many years of service to Philoptochos. Please join us in this wonderful mission and become a member today!!! St Nicholas Philoptochos, 18 Hibiscus St (directly behind St. Nicholas Cathedral) Mailing address: P.O. Box 2043, Tarpon Springs, FL Tel:

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18 ST NICHOLAS BOOKSTORE Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am - noon Tel The perfect place to purchase meaningful gifts and support our Cathedral. We have a large selection of books on Orthodoxy, Bibles, icons, CDs, DVDs and more. Open a book to a world of light! The Illumined Heart $15.00 Capture the vibrant faith of ancient Christians in this classic by Frederica Mathewes-Green. This best-selling, inspirational guide to rediscovering the faith of the early Christians will help anyone striving to walk the timeless path of Christ in our time. Beauty for Ashes The spiritual transformation of a modern Greek community $20.00 This true story of profound spiritual transformation demonstrates how a bishop, who applied his ancient faith in a modern context, and a local monastery turned a village riddled by scandal into one of the most spiritually vibrant towns in all of Greece. Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints $11.00 This book serves as a training manual to prepare children for serving Christ in the real world, with sections for prayers for life's challenges, preparation for confession, and more. Special agents - the saints of old - encourage these young saints to serve God here and now. Christina Goes to Church $14.00 A preschooler s introduction to spiritual growth. Just one of the many beautifully illustrated books in the Christina series that helps children in their religious identification with the Eastern Orthodox Church. Ages: Preschool and up. FOLLOW ST NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL BOOKSTORE ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM!

19 JANUARY SCHEDULE On-call for emergencies this week: Fr Sampson Kasapakis, LITURGICAL SERVICES OFFICE AND MINISTRIES OFFICE, M-F, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday Δευτέρα JANUARY 23 Tuesday Τρίτη JANUARY 24 Orthros 8:00 am Orthros 8:00 am Bookstore, M-F 10:00 am-2:00 pm Dance Ministry, 4:00 pm, Community Center Basketball Ministry, 6:00 pm, Gym Boy Scouts, 7:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Wednesday Τετάρτη JANUARY 25 St Gregory Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Holy Unction 6:00 pm Little Lambs, 10:00 am, Sunday School Room on Hibiscus Greek School, 4:30 pm EYCDC Meeting, 7:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Thursday Πέμπτη JANUARY 26 Orthros 8:00 am Greek School, 4:30 pm Choir, 6:30 pm Friday Παρασκευή JANUARY 27 Orthros 8:00 am Men s Ministry Presentation, 7:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Saturday Σάββατο JANUARY 28 Women s Retreat, 10:00 am, Fr Tryfon Hall Fr James Dance, 6:00 pm, Community Center Sunday Κυριακή JANUARY 29 Orthros / Όρθρος 7:20 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία (Greek) 8:45 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία (English) 10:45 am Bookstore 10:00 am-noon

20 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-5th 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 Litsa Ikonomou 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