Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, April 23, St George, April 23

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1 Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, April 23, 2017 St George, April 23

2 WEEKLY MESSAGE Every year starts off the same way in every fitness center and gym. January 1 st ushers in the crowds and their New Year Resolutions. Regular gym attendees find themselves in a sea of new faces and frustrations as their favorite machine has been taken by someone who hasn t been there since last January. Employees warn of this in advance, but there are always a few who are frustrated. Why won t people stay the rest of the year? Within two weeks, most gyms return to their normal regular patrons with a few new faces sticking it out for the long haul. Their lives have been changed by their workout experience. Now let me replace a few words... Every Holy Week starts off the same way in every Orthodox Church. Palm Sunday ushers in the crowds and their conscience. Regular Church attendees find themselves in a sea of new faces and frustrations as their pew has been taken by someone who hasn t been there since last Holy Week. The Priest warns of this in advance, but there are always a few who are frustrated. Why don t people care enough to stay the rest of the year? By the Sunday of Thomas, most Churches return to their normal regular attendance with a few new faces sticking it out for the long haul. Their lives have been changed by their Holy Week experience. While the setting and challenges might be different between the gym and the Church, the truth is there is much in common. The Orthodox Way of Life is a life of discipline and commitment to overcoming the temptations that lead us astray, just as joining the fitness center. In the gym you will find fitness trainers who understand this challenge, just like your local priest understands your spiritual challenge. Unfortunately, just like January in a gym, the week after Pascha in the Orthodox Church people give up their new challenges and return to their old way of life. In many cases, and I speak from years of experience, overcoming weight issues can take years to conquer. The same is true with our spiritual battles. Being addicted to food can be a real problem as the daily challenges of eating healthy are often overcome by the temptations to gorge on candy and potato chips. Food addicts wake up every morning genuinely not wanting to overeat, but sadly by noon many have lost the battle for another day. If we are honest, we are each addicted to sin. We wake up every morning not wanting to sin, but sadly by noon (if not earlier) we have already sinned. So today I throw the gauntlet...holy Week is over! Pascha has arrived! It s January in the gym and the Church is still filled with the smell of incense from the Resurrection Liturgy. Don t fade away too quickly. But if you do, you can always come back and try again. You won t have to wait until Holy Week! Christ is Risen!

3 TODAY S SPECIAL SERVICES NO SERVICES SCHEDULED Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη! Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! WEDNESDAY SERVICES Please join us every Wednesday through Pentecost 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 40-DAY PRAYER LIST Margo, Constantinos, Paul, John, Eleftherios, Kalliopi, George, Periklis, Giannis, Panagiotis, Vissarion, Andie, Katherine, Patty, Joanne, Costas, Vassilis, Georgios, Glynn, Sheri, Natassa, Yiannis, Andriani, Stella, Eva, Artemis 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, please contact Soultana via (soultana@stnicholastarpon.org) or telephone ( ) by Monday at 5:00 pm.

4 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πράξεις τῶν Ἀποστόλων 12:1-11 Κ ατ' ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν ἐπέβαλεν Ηρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς χεῖρας κακῶσαί τινας τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Ἀνεῖλε δὲ 'Ιάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν 'Ιωάννου μαχαίρᾳ. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὅτι ἀρεστόν ἐστι τοῖς 'Ιουδαίοις, προσέθετο συλλαβεῖν καὶ Πέτρον ἦσαν δὲ αἱ ἡμέραι τῶν ἀζύμων ὃν καὶ πιάσας ἔθετο εἰς φυλακήν, παραδοὺς τέσσαρσι τετραδίοις στρατιωτῶν φυλάσσειν αὐτόν, βουλόμενος μετὰ τὸ Πάσχα ἀναγαγεῖν αὐτὸν τῷ λαῷ. Ὁ μὲν οὖν Πέτρος ἐτηρεῖτο ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ προσευχὴ δὲ ἦν ἐκτενὴς γινομένη ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ. Οτε δὲ ἔμελλεν αὐτὸν προάγειν ὁ Ηρῴδης, τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ ἦν ὁ Πέτρος κοιμώμενος μεταξὺ δύο στρατιωτῶν δεδεμένος ἁλύσεσι δυσί, φύλακές τε πρὸ τῆς θύρας ἐτήρουν τὴν φυλακήν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπέστη καὶ φῶς ἔλαμψεν ἐν τῷ οἰκήματι πατάξας δὲ τὴν πλευρὰν τοῦ Πέτρου ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν λέγων ἀνάστα ἐν τάχει. καὶ ἐξέπεσον αὐτοῦ αἱ ἁλύσεις ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν εἶπέ τε ὁ Ἄγγελος πρὸς αὐτόν περίζωσαι καὶ ὑπόδησαι τὰ σανδάλιά σου. Ἐποίησε δὲ οὕτω καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ περιβαλοῦ τὸ ἱμάτιόν σου καὶ ἀκολούθει μοι. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι ἀληθές ἐστι τὸ γινόμενον διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου, ἐδόκει δὲ ὅραμα βλέπειν. Διελθόντες δὲ πρώτην φυλακὴν καὶ δευτέραν ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν πύλην τὴν σιδηρᾶν τὴν φέρουσαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, ἥτις αὐτομάτη ἠνοίχθη αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐξελθόντες προῆλθον ῥύμην μίαν καὶ εὐθέως ἀπέστη ὁ Ἄγγελος ἀπ' αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὁ Πέτρος γενόμενος ἐν ἑαυτῷ εἶπε νῦν οἶδα ἀληθῶς ὅτι ἐξαπέστειλε Κύριος τὸν Ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξείλετό με ἐκ χειρὸς Ηρῴδου καὶ πάσης τῆς προσδοκίας τοῦ λαοῦ τῶν 'Ιουδαίων. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Ἰωάννην κʹ Ο ὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Λάβετε Πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ' αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί Ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ' ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ' αὐτῶν. ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ Φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ. 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 Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 A bout that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." GOSPEL John 20:19-31 O n the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 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 Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος, ἡ Ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης, ἡ πάντων ἀνάστασις Πνεῦμα εὐθὲς δι' αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων ἡμῖν, κατὰ τὸ μέγα σου 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 Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες Ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾅδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος, Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος, ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. Resurrectional Apolytikion O Life, You rose from the sepulcher, even though the tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God. And though the doors had been bolted, You came to Your disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit in us, according to Your great mercy. For the Saint As the one renowned for setting captives free and for defending those in poverty, the physician of the sick and the champion of emperors, great and victorious Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. Kontakion Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out "Rejoice" to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection. VENERATION OF RELICS OF ST SPYRIDON We are pleased to announce that His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu will be joining us to celebrate Great Vespers on Saturday, April 29 at 6:00 pm as well as the first Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 30. His Eminence will be bringing with him relics of St Spyridon, which will be available for veneration during both services. On Monday, May 1 at 7:00 pm, His Eminence will celebrate Pan Orthodox Vespers at St George in New Port Richey. The Parish Council and St Nicholas community will be accepting donations in support of the Metropolitan s school for children with special needs in Corfu.

7 Saints and Feasts of the Week SUNDAY OF THOMAS The events commemorated on the Sunday of Thomas are recorded in the Gospel of St John. Following the crucifixion and burial of Christ, the disciples were gathered in a room with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. On the evening of the Sunday after Passover, Jesus Christ entered the room and stood in their midst, greeting them with the words, "Peace be with you." He showed the disciples his hands, feet, and side. Thomas was not present with the disciples when Jesus appeared, and he did not accept the testimony of the other disciples concerning Christ's Resurrection. He stated, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." Eight days later, the disciples were gathered together again with Thomas present, and the Lord appeared in the same manner. Standing in their midst he said, "Peace be with you." He then spoke directly to Thomas and said, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus replied by saying, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΘΩΜΑ Ο Απόστολος Θωμάς απουσίαζε όταν ο Χριστός, μετά την Ανάστασή Του, επισκέφθηκε τους Μαθητές Του στο υπερώον όπου ήταν συνηγμένοι. Όταν πληροφορήθηκε τα σχετικά με την επίσκεψη του Χριστού, ζήτησε να Τον δει και να ψηλαφίσει τις πληγές του Σταυρού στα χέρια και την πλευρά Του. Ο Χριστός όταν επισκέφθηκε και πάλι τους Μαθητές Του μετά από οκτώ ημέρες, κάλεσε τον Θωμά να ψηλαφήσει τα σημάδια των πληγών στο Σώμα Του. Τότε ο Απόστολος Θωμάς Τον ανεγνώρισε και Τον ομολόγησε Κύριο και Θεό του. Η ομολογία του Θωμά οδηγεί στην σωτηρία όλους εκείνους που την απευθύνουν στον Χριστό εκζητώντας ταπεινά το έλεός Του. Το γεγονός ότι ο Απόστολος Θωμάς αρχικά απουσίαζε κατά την εμφάνιση του Χριστού στους Μαθητές Του, φαίνεται ότι ήταν οικονομία Θεού, για να γίνει πιστευτό το θαύμα της Αναστάσεως και να διαλυθεί κάθε είδους αμφιβολία. Ο Απόστολος Θωμάς, μετά την Πεντηκοστή, κήρυξε το Ευαγγέλιο στους Πάρθους, τους Πέρσες, τους Μήδους και τους Ινδούς και είχε μαρτυρικό τέλος. GEORGE THE GREAT MARTYR St George was born of a Cappadocian father and a Palestinian mother. Being a chiliarch (a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honored for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, St George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheardof tortures, which he endured with great bravery. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including the wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia. His sacred remains were taken to Palestine, to a town called Lydda and were transferred to the church which was raised up in his name.

8 OUR PRIESTS ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU Fr. Athanasios Haros ( , and Fr. Sampson Kasapakis ( , 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. BOOKSTORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Looking for something meaningful to volunteer your spare time? Do you enjoy reading and sharing your knowledge on Orthodox subjects? These are just some of the many benefits the volunteers enjoy at our Cathedral Bookstore. We are currently looking to keep the bookstore staffed by two persons per shift and several options are available. If you can spare two to four hours per week, or if you would like to become an on-call substitute, please call Bill Panageotou at All proceeds benefit St Nicholas Cathedral and the Bookstore Renovation Fund. CAREGIVING POSITION OPEN Greek-speaking female caregiver needed in St Petersburg (at intersection of 77th & 9th Ave). Responsibilities involve companion care and possible drive to grocery store, walking and conversation, 2-3 times a week, 3-4 hours a day for about one month. Please call Position opens in early May. Interested individuals must be able to pass a Level 2 clearance.

9 THANK YOU Another Lent and Pascha season has passed; once more, the St Nicholas Cathedral community brought together locals and visitors to celebrate this most important feast of Christianity. Our Cathedral and Epitafios looked their best every day since the beginning of Lent, and that is in great part due to your generous donations. All services and special events, such as the preparation of Lazarakia, were also made possible by your generosity and volunteering. Thank you to everyone who gave either money, items or time; a special thanks to Mr Kenny Henderson for his tireless and impressive fundraising efforts. May the light of the Lord Jesus Christ s Resurrection guide your paths for days to come. Abbas, Nellie Alahouzos, Chris Anonymous Arfaras, Duchess Assimack, Kathleen Bakas, Elizabeth Baker, David Balosache, Narcis Bilirakis, Michael Bilirakis, Manuel & Maria Billiris, Mary Ella Boillot, Family Bouchlas, Family Burruss, Mary Christopoulos, Chris Chrysostomou, Chrysoulla Cosmos, Nancy Daskarolis, Bill Daskarolis, Frances Diamond, Georgia Dobies Funeral Home Dongas, Sophia Faklis, Anna Faklis Orthopedic Services Fatolitis, Peter & Leza Five Star Auto Repair Frangos, Maria Garner, Irene George, Kaliope Georgiades, Pia Georgion, Stephanie Giuliani, Paul & Sylvia Golabiewski, Hariett Gombos, Emmanuel Halki Society Hart, Maria Henderson, Kenneth & Nickollet Henderson, Parthenios Herzog, Esther In Memory of Chris Kikis Jacobs, Irene Jimmy's Pizza Kalymnian Society Kartapanis, Bob Katsaras Kallie Kavouklis, Niki Kelly, Catherine Klimis, Harry & Effe Klimis, Kathleen Klonaris, Maria Kojic, Dafina Kolianos, Phyllis & Peter Kolianos, James Koukoulakis, Maria Koulianos, Josephine Kouskoutis, Mike Lelekis, John & Caliope Loe, Virginia Makryllos, Kathy Manglis, Toula Manias, Nik& Aspasia Manousos, Michele Mazarakes, Donna Megaloudis, Stella Megaloudis, Garry Miaoulis, Nick & Shirley Miller, Evelyn Minakakis, Christina Monokandilos, Kerri Moutsatsos, Costas & Mary Owens, Angie Pagano, Olympia Panelis, Phil Pappas, Bessie, Argie & Lula Pappas, Joyce Paraskevas, Theo Parr, Goldie Patterson, Rosemarie Peppas, Anestis Pilatos, Maria Protos, Anita Rigas, Maria Rinios, Irene Rinios, John Rondeau, Chris Samarkos, Charlie St Michael's Shrine Stamas Enterprises Stavrakis, Andie Tarapani Family The Sponge Exchange Theofilos, Katie Theophilopoulos, Dean & Ellyn Theophilopoulos, PA Tiliakos, Elaine Tsongranis, Sylvia Tsoukalas, Helen Vasiliadis, Barbara Vatikiotis, Costas Volochati, Matina Vouvalis, Nicholas Whitefield, Alexandria Ypsilantis, Hercules & Cathy Avallone Zaronias, Katherine Zontopoulos, Bessie

10 Sunday Church School News FIRST STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL CONTENT RELEASED ON PORTAL After over a year of hard work and much anticipation, the first goals of the Metropolis of Atlanta Strategic Plan are complete and there is content on the Web Portal for download. Parishioners are invited to use the new content found at to enhance their efforts working for the Church and its many ministries. The completed Goals include: 1.1 Parish Strategic Planning, 3.3 Communications Director, 5.4 Seniors Program 10.1 Metropolis Website and 10.3 Best Practices Metropolis Resource Center Portal. In addition to the first content, the website has been redesigned for ease of use. For more information please visit

11 OUR CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT & CELEBRATE HOLY WEEK 2017 Top & middle: Making of Palms & Lazarakia Bottom: Holy Friday Retreat

12 T he AHEPA would like to thank all those from the St Nicholas Cathedral Family for supporting us on Palm Sunday at the fish dinner. We have had this dinner for over 30 years and the proceeds are dedicated to scholarships in the Greek Community. Last year we awarded $3,000 and hopefully we will be able to match that or do more. Each year it gets more expensive to go to school and we should all work to help support students of Greek heritage. AHEPA was established in Tarpon Springs in the early 1920s and we are proud of our heritage. Thank you, AHEPA Officers 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. LET US HOST YOUR NEXT PARTY Reserve Fr Tryfon Hall or the St Nicholas Community Center for your next event! Visit the hall rental website at or call the church office at

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16 ST NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS Monday: 9:00-10:00 am Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 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. THANK YOU Thank you to all the volunteers that gave their time to help cook the lentils for Holy Friday and dye the Easter eggs. A special thank you to those who donated the eggs, tulle, lentils and vegetables for the soup. Philoptochos Needs You Consider being on the Philoptochos Board -- call Tina at Elections will be held on at the May General Meeting. Upcoming Events General Meeting, Monday, April 24, 6 pm: Fr Tryfon Hall Come join us as we will be making Mother s Day gifts for those in the nursing homes and hospitals. Community Luncheon, Sunday, May 7: Fr Tryfon Hall We need help to set up, serve and clean up. 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! Journey to the Kingdom $19.00 There is no better way to understand the theology, passion, and faith of Eastern Orthodoxy than by entering into its central worship: the Divine Liturgy. Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou takes you on this journey with clarity, exploring the Liturgy as a reflection of heavenly worship and an invitation to enter the Kingdom of God. Nearly Orthodox: On being a modern woman in an ancient tradition $19.00 This autobiography recounts the life of a Catholic schoolgirl from a tattooed poet and punk rocker to Orthodoxy. Her story resounds with truth and humor, and tells of her desire to know herself in God. A beautiful memoir to inspire and comfort. The Hidden Garden A story of the heart $19.00 Every heart is a hidden garden. We can neglect it until the weeds take over and the flowers wither, or, with the help of Christ, we can care for it and make it a place of beauty and grace. This charming parable, beautifully illustrated, will encourage children (and adults) to open the gate to Christ and tend the garden of their heart with loving care. Daily Readings in Orthodox Spirituality $6.00 This pocket-size book introduces, explains and celebrates the rich and joyous breadth of the Orthodox tradition. Selections are from the spiritual classics, Church fathers, traditional prayers, and more, all in a form suitable for daily meditation. FOLLOW ST NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL BOOKSTORE ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM!

19 APRIL SCHEDULE On-call for emergencies this week: Fr Athanasios Haros, LITURGICAL SERVICES OFFICE AND MINISTRIES OFFICE, M-F, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday Δευτέρα APRIL 24 Bookstore, M-F 10:00 am-2:00 pm Dance Ministry, 4:00 pm, Community Center Philoptochos General Meeting, 6:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Tuesday Τρίτη APRIL 25 Boy Scouts, 7:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Wednesday Τετάρτη APRIL 26 Thursday Πέμπτη APRIL 27 Holy Unction 6:00 pm Little Lambs, 10:00 am, Sunday School Room on Hibiscus Greek School, 4:30 pm Men s Ministry, 7:30 pm, Panera Bread Choir, 6:30 pm Friday Παρασκευή APRIL 28 Saturday Σάββατο APRIL 29 Great Vespers 6:00 pm Sunday Κυριακή APRIL 30 Orthros / Όρθρος, 7:20 am Divine Liturgy / Θεία Λειτουργία (Greek) 8:45 am Divine Liturgy / Θεία Λειτουργία (Eng.) 10:45 am Bookstore 10:00 am-noon GOYA, 5:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall

20 SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Mailing address: 17 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL Tel: Fax: CATHEDRAL OPEN FOR PRAYER: 36 N. Pinellas Ave, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Dean: Rev Fr Athanasios Haros Assistant Priest: Rev Fr Sampson Kasapakis Parish Council President: Nikitas Manias Administrative Assistant: Soultana Kalligas Bookkeeper: Jocelyn Chapman Property Manager / Hall Rentals: Costas Sisois 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 EPIRUS SOCIETY -- Bessie Mandelos HALKI SOCIETY Michele Manousos HELLENIC BENEV. ASSN Maria Keramas ICARIAN SOCIETY -- Linda Tripodis Murray KALYMNIAN SOCIETY Litsa Ikonomou KARPATHIAN SOCIETY -- Minas Liristis, LACONIAN SOCIETY Theodore Tsafatinos PANCYPRIAN SOCIETY Angela Georgiadis PROMETHEAS SOCIETY Effie Vassiliou SYMIAN SOCIETY Michael Faklis COUNCIL MEMBERS ON DUTY TODAY Anna Billiris Mike Kouremetis Emmanuel Ioannidis Karen Markopulos Charles Samarkos James Shoemaker Nicholas Vouvalis