Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, January 1, 2017

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1 Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, January 1, 2017 The Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, January 6

2 WEEKLY MESSAGE Since the first days on earth, humanity has been plagued with the danger of greed. Adam and Eve expressed their greed when they ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, because they were convinced they deserved something that God had told them was bad for them. Because of their greed, their children, beginning with Cain and Abel, were born into a harsh life of struggle and pain. It was because of greed that our ancestors constructed the Tower of Babel to reach to heaven; and let us make a name for ourselves. (Genesis 11.4) It was because of greed that Abram took Hagar to bear children rather than Sarah. They disobeyed God s desire, so Hagar and her innocent child were forced to flee for their safety. Around this time each year, we hear of another horrific example of greed. It was because of greed that Herod slaughtered over 14,000 innocent children in an attempt to kill the newborn Christ. Throughout the centuries, greed has been at the center of every political conflict between nations and tribes, and the innocent always suffer. And today the world continues its assault upon children in the name reproductive freedom by aborting hundreds of thousands of innocent children each year. This week, the Lord gives us a fresh chance at a better way. While Herod was trying to trick the Magi into revealing where Christ was to be found, the angels of God instructed the shepherds to go home a different way. The shepherds were rewarded for their love and obedience to God and they returned home glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. (Luke 2.20) The shepherds revealed their humility rather than greed. It was because of their humility that Herod was unable to kill Jesus as an infant, and His Mother and Joseph were able to bring Him to the Temple on the Eighth Day, according to the Law, to be circumcised and receive the name Jesus as was commanded by God. It was because of humility that Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him, (Luke 2.46) because they had left Him behind at Passover. Humility always brings comfort. It is the opposite of greed. The past two weeks have been filled with opportunities to expresses either greed or humility. Constant advertisements and sales attempt to feed greed and convince you to purchase more gifts and spend more money than you have. Some families spend so much on Christmas, they struggle to pay regular utility bills. It is because of greed that Christmas drives many into depression and loneliness. Every time we want more of something we do not have, even if that something is a good thing, we risk the danger of greed. How do we attempt to recover from Christmas greed? We pack into the mall for the after-christmas sales and return lines to exchange the gift we received for the gift we really wanted in the first place, never thinking how the feelings of the person who gave us the gift in the first place might feel if we rejected their gift. The gift of Christmas isn t under a decorated tree. The gift of Christmas is God Himself, Who came to be one of us so that we could be freed from the constant battle between greed and humility. The gift of Christmas is freedom from sales and special offers at department stores. The gift of Christmas is a life lived in unity with God as He originally intended. But the only way we can receive the gift is to choose humility rather than greed. Greed, just like it has for centuries before, will always lead us away from God s desire for us. Greed will always bring pain and suffering the innocent lives that surround us. Today is New Year s Day, the day we all make so-called resolutions to live better lives. This year, we can resolve to live humble lives rather than suffer through greed. This year can be different. As Jesus said to Mary and Joseph, Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father s business? (Luke 2.49) His Father s business is our freedom from sin and greed. This year should be the year we are also about the Father s business.

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, Matthew, Simeon, Irene 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 Κολασσαεῖς 2:8-12 Ἀ δελφοί, βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ κατοικεῖ πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τῆς Θεότητος σωματικῶς, καὶ ἐστὲ ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι, ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας, ἐν ᾧ καὶ περιετμήθητε περιτομῇ ἀχειροποιήτῳ ἐν τῇ ἀπεκδύσει τοῦ σώματος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῆς σαρκός, ἐν τῇ περιτομῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, ἐν ᾧ καὶ συνηγέρθητε διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν βʹ 20-21, Τ ῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὑπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιμένες δοξάζοντες καὶ αἰνοῦντες τὸν Θεὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἤκουσαν καὶ εἶδον καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς. Καὶ ὅτε ἐπλήσθησαν ἡμέραι ὀκτὼ τοῦ περιτεμεῖν αὐτόν, καὶ ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἱησοῦς, τὸ κληθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀγγέλου πρὸ τοῦ συλληφθῆναι αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ. Τὸ δὲ παιδίον ηὔξανε καὶ ἐκραταιοῦτο πληρούμενον σοφίᾳ, καὶ χάρις Θεοῦ ἦν ἐπ' αὐτό. Καὶ ἐπορεύοντο οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ κατ' ἔτος εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ τῇ ἑορτῇ τοῦ πάσχα. Καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἀναβαινόντων αὐτῶν κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἑορτῆς καὶ τελειωσάντων τὰς ἡμέρας, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν αὐτοὺς ὑπέμεινεν Ἱησοῦς ὁ παῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ. Νομίσαντες δὲ αὐτὸν εἶναι ἐν τῇ συνοδίᾳ ἦλθον ἡμέρας ὁδὸν καὶ ἀνεζήτουν αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς συγγενεῦσιν καὶ τοῖς γνωστοῖς,καὶ μὴ εὑρόντες ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἀναζητοῦντες αὐτόν. Καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ἡμέρας τρεῖς εὗρον αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καθεζόμενον ἐν μέσῳ τῶν διδασκάλων καὶ ἀκούοντα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπερωτῶντα αὐτούς ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῇ συνέσει καὶ ταῖς ἀποκρίσεσιν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐξεπλάγησαν, καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ εἶπεν Τέκνον, τί ἐποίησας ἡμῖν οὕτως; ἰδοὺ ὁ πατήρ σου κἀγὼ ὀδυνώμενοι ἐζητοῦμέν σε. Καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς Τί ὅτι ἐζητεῖτέ με; οὐκ ᾔδειτε ὅτι ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου δεῖ εἶναί με;καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐ ᾔ συνῆκαν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ κατέβη μετ' αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Ναζαρέτ, καὶ ἦν ὑποτασσόμενος αὐτοῖς. Ἡ δὲ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ διετήρει πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς. Καὶ Ἱησοῦς προέκοπτεν σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ Θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις. 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 Colossians 2:8-12 B rethren, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. GOSPEL Luke 2:20-21, A t that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. 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 Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Resurrectional Apolytikion Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. He trampled death under foot by means of death; and He became the firstborn from the dead. From the maw of Hades He delivered us; and He granted the world His great mercy. Ἀπολυτίκιον Μορφὴν ἀναλλοιώτως ἀνθρωπίνην προσέλαβες, Θεὸς ὢν κατ' οὐσίαν, πολυεύσπλαγχνε Κύριε καὶ Νόμον ἐκπληρῶν, περιτομήν, θελήσει καταδέχῃ σαρκικήν, ὅπως παύσῃς τὰ σκιώδη, καὶ περιέλῃς τὸ κάλυμμα τῶν παθῶν ἡμῶν. Δόξα τῇ ἀγαθότητι τῇ σῇ, δόξᾳ τῇ εὐσπλαγχνίᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ ἀνεκφράστῳ Λόγε συγκαταβάσει σου. Τοῦ Ἁγίου Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος σου, ὡς δεξαμένην τὸν λόγον σου, δι' οὗ θεοπρεπῶς ἐδογμάτισας, τὴν φύσιν τῶν ὄντων ἐτράνωσας, τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἤθη κατεκόσμησας, Βασίλειον Ἱεράτευμα, Πάτερ Ὅσιε, Χριστὸν τὸν Θεὸν ἱκέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. 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 τῶν ὅλων Κύριος, περιτομὴν ὑπομένει, καὶ βροτῶν τὰ πταίσματα, ὡς ἀγαθὸς περιτέμνει δίδωσι τὴν σωτηρίαν σήμερον κόσμῳ χαίρει δὲ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις καὶ ὁ του Κτίστου, Ἱεράρχης καὶ φωσφόρος, ὁ θεῖος μύστης Χριστοῦ Βασίλειος. Apolytikion In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, You assumed human nature without transmutation. Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will You accepted circumcision in the flesh, to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; glory to Your compassion; glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word. For the Saint Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy. 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 As the Master over all has undergone circumcision, so He cuts away the sins of humankind in His goodness. On this day, upon the world He bestows salvation. And on high does the Creator's hierarch Basil now rejoice, for he is known as a most divine and light-bearing mystic of Christ.

7 Saints and Feasts of the Week SAINT BASIL THE GREAT Saint Basil the Great was born about the end of the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia. His mother Emily and his grandmother Macrina are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister, Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebastia, and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantnople, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, later called "the Theologian." Through the influence of his sister Macrina, he chose to embrace the ascetical life, and later departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, where he wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, he was elected Bishop and was entrusted with the Church of Christ. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were of one mind with the Arians, tried with threats to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest. But in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. The Emperor himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When his son fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; but his pen broke thrice when he was signing the edict of banishment. The Emperor was filled with dread, tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. Spent with extreme ascetical practices, he departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, at the age of 49. His writings are replete with wisdom, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the creation (see his Hexaemeron) and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honored as "the Great." ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΣ Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ Ο Μέγας αυτός διδάσκαλος της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας γεννήθηκε το 329, και μεγάλωσε στην Καισάρεια της Καππαδοκίας. Από τα 8 αδέλφια του, τα 3 αγόρια έγιναν επίσκοποι και το 1 κορίτσι έγινε μοναχή. Μετά τις πρώτες του σπουδές στην Καισαρεία και κατόπιν στο Βυζάντιο, επισκέφθηκε, νεαρός ακόμα, την Αθήνα, όπου επί 4 χρόνια συμπλήρωσε τις σπουδές του, σπουδάζοντας φιλοσοφία, ρητορική, γραμματική, αστρονομία και ιατρική, έχοντας συμφοιτητές του τον Γρηγόριο τον Ναζιανζηνό (τον Θεολόγο) και τον Ιουλιανό τον Παραβάτη. Αφού επέστρεψε στην Καισαρεία, αποφάσισε να ακολουθήσει τη μοναχική ζωή και γι' αυτό πήγε στα κέντρα του ασκητισμού. Το 357 αποσύρθηκε σε μια Μονή του Πόντου, αφού έγινε μοναχός, και ασκήθηκε εκεί για πέντε χρόνια. Δεν άργησε να ανεβεί στο θρόνο ως Επίσκοπος. Στους αγώνες του κατά του Αρειανισμού αναδείχτηκε αδαμάντινος. Υπεράσπισε με θάρρος την Ορθοδοξία, καταπλήσσοντας τον βασιλιά και τους Αρειανούς. Η υπόλοιπη ποιμαντορική δράση του υπήρξε απαράμιλλη, κτίζοντας την περίφημη «Βασιλειάδα», συγκρότημα με ευαγή Ιδρύματα, όπως φτωχοκομείο, ορφανοτροφείο κ.ά., όπου βρήκαν τροφή και περίθαλψη χιλιάδες πάσχοντες κάθε ηλικίας, γένους και φυλής. Ο Μέγας Βασίλειος έχει πλούσιο και σημαντικό συγγραφικό έργο. Τα κυριότερα έργα του είναι οι 9 ομιλίες στην Εξαήμερο, ομιλίες στους Ψαλμούς, ασκητικά έργα και επιστολές. Εκτός των άλλων έργων του, έγραψε και Θεία Λειτουργία, που τελείται 10 φορές το χρόνο. Στα 50 του, εξαιτίας της ασθενικής κράσεώς του και της αυστηρής ασκητικής ζωής του την 1η Ιανουαρίου εγκαταλείπει το φθαρτό και μάταιο αυτό κόσμο, αφήνοντας Ιερή κληρονομιά στην ανθρωπότητα ένα τεράστιο πνευματικό έργο.

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 Anna Billiris Costas Sisois George Dovellos Manolis Ioannidis Karen Markopulos Charles Samarkos Gus Tsambis

9 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Sunday, January 1, 2017, St Basil & Circumcision of Christ Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy of St Basil 9:00 am Wednesday, January 4, 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 NIKIFOROS THE LEPER, on the occasion of the presentation of his holy relics to St Nicholas Cathedral St Nikiforos was born Nicholas Tzanakakis in 1890 in a village near Chania, Crete. When he was 13, he began to work in a barbershop, but began to show signs of Hansen's disease (leprosy), and at16 years old, Nicholas fled to Egypt to escape an exile to Spinaloga, an island leper colony. The disease continued to advance. In 1914, Nicholas arrived at the home for lepers in Chios that was administered by Fr Anthimus Vagianos, later remembered as St. Anthimus of Chios. The chapel of St. Lazarus at the leper home, with its wonder-working icon of the Panagia of Ypakoe, provided an atmosphere that opened for Nicholas his spirituality and faith. Within two years, Fr. Anthimos tonsured him a monk with the name Nikiforos. Still ill, Nikiforos continued his obedience, fasting and working in the gardens, as a unique spiritual relationship grew between the monk and his mentor. From this he compiled a catalogue of the miracles of St. Anthimos that he had seen with his own eyes. He became the head chanter of the church, but slowly lost his eyesight and others took on that role. In 1957, Lovokomeio was closed and along with the remaining patients, he was moved to the Anti-Leper Station of St. Barbara in Aigaleo. At that time, Nikiforos was about 67 years old. At the Anti- Leper station lived a priest, Fr. Eumenios, who had been cured of the disease through the recent medical advances and decided to remain in the station near his fellow patients. Fr. Eumenios soon became a spiritual child of the monk, to whom as a reward for his patience, the Lord had granted many gifts. Many people began to visit the leper monk to receive his blessing. On January 4, 1964, Fr. Nicephorus reposed in the Lord, at the age of 74. His holy relics were fragrant when they were later uncovered.

10 DEBT ELIMINATION PLEDGES RECEIVED 2016 (As of December 29, 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 29, 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. DINNER FOR THE ELDERLY A SUCCESS On December 22, our youth ministry and volunteers served and delivered Christmas dinner for the 17 th consecutive year. The dinners were provided for the elderly people in our community. We served and delivered over 555 dinners and were also able to provide food for the upcoming Monday kitchen soup program. The total number not only included those who came to our hall, but also those to whom we were able to deliver meals (to the homes of those who were not physically able to come to our hall, and all residents living in the public housing community of Tarpon Springs). We would like to give a special thank you to those who have generously donated food and funds, which also allowed us to give gift certificates to the many children and families of our community. We would also like to thank all the volunteers, and especially our chefs John Loukataris and the Monday kitchen soup cooking team (Bill Elliadis, Theo Paraskevas and Kosta Vlachos), the parents, and our youth for their hard work plus the food they donated. We would also like to extend a big thank you to the many local restaurants, businesses (especially those who helped with the cooking) and all those who helped (societies and parishioners), for the food they donated which was used for the Christmas dinner....for it is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35 May God continue to bless our youth and community. TOP EPIPHANY ESSAYS Stay with us after Liturgy today for this year s top Epiphany essays. -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 OUR CATHEDRAL RECEIVES A GREAT GIFT It isn t money. It isn t a new building. What could this gift we received be? Our Cathedral recently was blessed to become the caretakers of a relic of Saint Nikiforos the Leper, who lived in the 20 th century. From an early age he suffered with leprosy, which besides the physical symptoms carried a great public stigma. The presence of his holy relic in our Cathedral will bring comfort to those who suffer not only physical pain but public humiliation. He will be a source of comfort to those who come to our Cathedral and pray for his guidance and intercessions. He knows the pain of sickness and the pain of humiliation. To honor this great gift, we will celebrate Orthros and Divine Liturgy on January 4, the day he is commemorated by the Church. We invite all who suffer to come and venerate his holy relic and seek his prayers for peace and comfort. We are grateful to His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas for this great gift of prayer and comfort to our Cathedral. EPIPHANY ABSENCE EXCUSE LETTERS In view of the upcoming Epiphany celebration, parents of school-aged children are kindly reminded to request any absence excuse letters for school as soon as possible. You may contact the parish office by calling or ing soultana@stnicholastarpon.org, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Our office will be closed on Monday and Friday. HOUSE BLESSINGS House Blessings will begin on January 10. 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. 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 e- mailing 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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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. Annual Silver Membership Tea January 15, to 4 p.m. St. Nicholas Community Center Guest Speaker: Melissa Tsongranis 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! Path to Salvation $25.00 This new edition of St. Theophan s classic spiritual text will guide you on the path to man s final goal: communion with God - through faith, walking in the commandments, and with the aid of divine grace. One need only say: Here is the path - start walking! 2017 Divry Daily Calendar with Wall Calendar Holder $18.00 With dates in both English and Greek, the daily calendar contains information on Feast days, as well as jokes and recipes on the back. Also sold separately: Divry calendar refills $8.00; calendar holders $ 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. An Introduction to God $18.00 This book speaks to nonbelievers and believers alike and attempts to guide one to a sacred space in which God can be encountered. This compact volume addresses the fundamental mysteries of where God is, who He is, why Christian morality matters and makes you long to encounter God in Jesus Christ. 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 JANUARY 2-8 SCHEDULE On-call for emergencies this week: Fr Athanasios Haros, LITURGICAL SERVICES OFFICE AND MINISTRIES Monday Δευτέρα JANUARY 2 Tuesday Τρίτη JANUARY 3 Wednesday Τετάρτη JANUARY 4 Thursday Πέμπτη JANUARY 5 Friday Παρασκευή JANUARY 6 St Nikiforos Presentation of the relics of St Nikiforos Orthros / Όρθρος 8:00 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία 9:00 am Eve of Epiphany Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil, followed by Blessing of the Waters, 8:00 am Holy Epiphany Orthros 8:00 am Archierarchical Liturgy 9:30 am Blessing of Waters (Cathedral) 11:30 am Procession to Spring Bayou 12:15 pm Blessing of Tarpon Springs & Spring Bayou 1:00 pm OFFICE & CATHEDRAL CLOSED Dance Ministry, 4:00 pm, Comm Center Hall Bookstore, T-F 10:00 am-2:00 pm Basketball Ministry, 6:00 pm, Gym Boy Scouts, 7:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Little Lambs, 10:00 am, Sunday School Room on Hibiscus Choir, 6:30 pm OFFICE CLOSED Epiphany Glendi, Community Center, 1:30 pm Saturday Σάββατο JANUARY 7 Sunday Κυριακή JANUARY 8 St John the Baptist All welcome to 2418 W. Swann Ave, Tampa FL Vespers 6:30 pm St John the Baptist All welcome to 2418 W. Swann Ave, Tampa FL Orthros / Όρθρος 8:30 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία 9:30 am Orthros / Όρθρος 7:20 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία (Greek) 8:45 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία (English) 10:45 am Winter Dance Conference, Comm Center, 8:30 am-4:15 pm Winter Dance Conference Formal Glendi, Comm Center, 6:30 pm Winter Dance Conference, Comm Center, 11:00 am-5:30 pm Taverna Dance, 6:30 pm, Kalymnian Society (42 W. Morgan St)

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