Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, December 27, 2015 APOSTLE STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR, SEPTEMBER 27

Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, December 27, 2015 APOSTLE STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR, SEPTEMBER 27

DEC. 28-JAN. 3 SCHEDULE LITURGICAL SERVICES OFFICE AND MINISTRIES Monday Δευτέρα DEC. 28 OFFICE, M-Th, 9:00 am- 5:00 pm BOOKSTORE, M-F, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Dance Ministry, 4:00 pm, Community Center Tuesday Τρίτη DEC. 29 Dance Ministry, 6:00 pm, Community Center Basketball Ministry, 6:30 p.m., Gym Wednesday Τετάρτη DEC. 30 NO EVENING SERVICE Bookstore, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday Πέμπτη DEC. 31 Friday Παρασκευή JAN. 1 St Basil & Circumcision of Christ Οrthros / Όρθρος, 9:00 am Liturgy of St Basil / Λειτουργία Αγ. Βασιλείου, 10:00 am OFFICE CLOSED Saturday Σάββατο JAN. 2 Dance Ministry, 11:00 am, Community Center Sunday Κυριακή JAN. 3 Sunday before Epiphany Orthros / Όρθρος, 8:00 am Liturgy / Λειτουργία, 9:15 am (One Liturgy only) Bookstore, 10:00 am-12:00 pm Choir, 1:00 pm, Cathedral

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The St Nicholas Cathedral clergy, Parish Council, Philoptochos, Office Staff and all ministries wish everyone the happiest of years, and we hope that the Lord is with you every step of the way. TODAY S SPECIAL SERVICES MEMORIALS 3-year: Theofilos Kalafatis COUNCIL MEMBERS ON DUTY TODAY Anna Billiris Nikitas Manias John Stamas Chris Palaidis Irene Karavokiros Maria Klonaris Themis Fountotos- Tezza DEBT ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN Campaign Status as of Tuesday, December 21, 2015 Debt Elimination Pledges Received $ 114,947.00 Debt Elimination Monies Received $ 127,172.00 Credit Line Balance $ 124,735.00 Please contact treasurer Michael Kouremetis with questions regarding this report. He may be reached at 727-267-3298 or mkouremetis@tampabay.rr.com.

ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πράξεις τῶν Ἀποστόλων 6:8-15;7:1-5, 47-60 Ἐ ν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, Στέφανος πλήρης πίστεως καὶ δυνάμεως ἐποίει τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα μεγάλα ἐν τῷ λαῷ. Ἀνέστησαν δέ τινες τῶν ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τῆς λεγομένης Λιβερτίνων καὶ Κυρηναίων καὶ Ἀλεξανδρέων καὶ τῶν ἀπὸ Κιλικίας καὶ Ἀσίας συζητοῦντες τῷ Στεφάνῳ καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυον ἀντιστῆναι τῇ σοφίᾳ καὶ τῷ Πνεύματι ᾧ ἐλάλει. Τότε ὑπέβαλον ἄνδρας λέγοντας ὅτι Ἀκηκόαμεν αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ῥήματα βλάσφημα εἰς Μωϋσῆν καὶ τὸν Θεόν συνεκίνησάν τε τὸν λαὸν καὶ τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους καὶ τοὺς γραμματεῖς καὶ ἐπιστάντες συνήρπασαν αὐτὸν καὶ ἤγαγον εἰς τὸ συνέδριον ἔστησάν τε μάρτυρας ψευδεῖς λέγοντας Ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος οὐ παύεται ῥήματα βλασφημα λαλῶν κατὰ τοῦ τόπου τοῦ ἁγίου τούτου καὶ τοῦ νόμου ἀκηκόαμεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ λέγοντος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος οὗτος καταλύσει τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἀλλάξει τὰ ἔθη ἃ παρέδωκεν ἡμῖν Μωϋσῆς. Καὶ ἀτενίσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν ἅπαντες οἱ καθεζόμενοι ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ εἶδον τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ πρόσωπον ἀγγέλου. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀρχιερεύς εἰ ἄρα ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχει; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοὶ καὶ πατέρες, ἀκούσατε. ὁ Θεὸς τῆς δόξης ὤφθη τῷ πατρὶ ἡμῶν 'Αβραὰμ ὄντι ἐν τῇ Μεσοποταμίᾳ, πρὶν ἢ κατοικῆσαι αὐτὸν ἐν Χαρράν, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν ἔξελθε ἐκ τῆς γῆς σου καὶ ἐκ τῆς συγγενείας σου, καὶ δεῦρο εἰς γῆν ἣν ἄν σοι δείξω. Τότε ἐξελθὼν ἐκ γῆς Χαλδαίων κατῴκησεν ἐν Χαρράν. Κἀκεῖθεν μετὰ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ μετῴκισεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς νῦν κατοικεῖτε καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ κληρονομίαν ἐν αὐτῇ οὐδὲ βῆμα ποδός. Σολομὼν δὲ ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτῷ οἶκον. Ἀλλ' οὐχ ὁ ὕψιστος ἐν χειροποιήτοις ναοῖς κατοικεῖ, καθὼς ὁ Προφήτης λέγει ὁ οὐρανός μοι θρόνος, ἡ δὲ γῆ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν μου ποῖον οἶκον οἰκοδομήσετέ μοι, λέγει Κύριος, ἢ τίς τόπος τῆς καταπαύσεώς μου; Οὐχὶ ἡ χείρ μου ἐποίησε ταῦτα πάντα; Σκληροτράχηλοι καὶ ἀπερίτμητοι τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ τοῖς ὠσίν, ὑμεῖς ἀεὶ τῷ Πνεύματι τῷ Αγίῳ ἀντιπίπτετε, ὡς οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν καὶ ὑμεῖς. Τίνα τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἐδίωξαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν; καὶ ἀπέκτειναν τοὺς προκαταγγείλαντας περὶ τῆς ἐλεύσεως τοῦ δικαίου, οὗ νῦν ὑμεῖς προδόται καὶ φονεῖς γεγένησθε οἵτινες ἐλάβετε τὸν νόμον εἰς διαταγὰς ἀγγέλων, καὶ οὐκ ἐφυλάξατε. 'Ακούοντες δὲ ταῦτα διεπρίοντο ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν καὶ ἔβρυχον ἐπ' αὐτόν τοὺς ὀδόντας. Ὑπάρχων δὲ πλήρης Πνεύματος Αγίου, ἀτενίσας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἶδε δόξαν Θεοῦ καὶ 'Ιησοῦν ἑστῶτα ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ θεωρῶ τοὺς οὐρανοὺς ἀνεῳγμένους καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἑστῶτα. Κράξαντες δὲ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ συνέσχον τὰ ὦτα αὐτῶν καὶ ὥρμησαν ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐπ' αὐτόν, καὶ ἐκβαλόντες ἔξω τῆς πόλεως ἐλιθοβόλουν. Καὶ οἱ μάρτυρες ἀπέθεντο τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας νεανίου καλουμένου Σαύλου, καὶ ἐλιθοβόλουν τὸν Στέφανον, ἐπικαλούμενον καὶ λέγοντα Κύριε 'Ιησοῦ, δέξαι τὸ πνεῦμά μου. Θεὶς δὲ τὰ γόνατα ἔκραξε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ Κύριε, μὴ στήσῃς αὐτοῖς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ταύτην. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐκοιμήθη. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Kατὰ Ματθαῖον 2:13-23 Ἀ ναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου φαίνεται κατ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό. Ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον,καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου. Τότε Ἡρῴδης ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων, ἐθυμώθη λίαν, καὶ ἀποστείλας ἀνεῖλε πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν Βηθλεὲμ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω, κατὰ τὸν χρόνον ὃν ἠκρίβωσε παρὰ τῶν μάγων.τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ Ἱερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμᾷ ἠκούσθη, θρῆνος καὶ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς,καὶ οὐκ ἤθελε παρακληθῆναι, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν. Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ Ηρῴδου ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ ὄναρ φαίνεται τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳλέγων ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πορεύου εἰς γῆν Ισραήλ τεθνήκασι γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου.ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς γῆν Ισραήλ.ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Αρχέλαος βασιλεύει ἐπὶ τῆς Ιουδαίας ἀντὶ Ηρῴδου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας,καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ, ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ὅτι Ναζωραῖος κληθήσεται.

EPISTLE Acts of the Apostles 6:8-15;7:1-5, 47-60 I n those days, Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, "Is this so?" And Stephen said: "Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, 'Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.' Then he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living; yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him in possession and to his posterity after him, though he had no child. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says, 'Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool. What house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?' You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it." Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. GOSPEL Matthew 2:13-23 W hen the Magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Variable Sunday Liturgy Hymns Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Resurrectional Apolytikion Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. For in His goodness He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, and to raise up those who had died, by His glorious Resurrection. Ἀπολυτίκιον Τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσμῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Apolytikion For the Feast Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. Τῶν Θεοπατόρων Εὐαγγελίζου Ἰωσήφ, τῷ Δαυῒδ τὰ θαύματα τῷ Θεοπάτορι Παρθένον εἶδες κυοφορήσασαν, μετὰ Μάγων προσεκύνησας, μετὰ Ποιμένων ἐδοξολόγησας, δι' Ἀγγέλου χρηματισθείς. Ἱκέτευε Χριστὸν τὸν Θεόν, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Τοῦ Πρωτομάρτυρος Βασίλειον διάδημα, ἐστέφθη σὴ κορυφή, ἐξ ἄθλων ὧν ὑπέμεινας, ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, μαρτύρων Πρωτόαθλε σὺ γὰρ τὴν Ἰουδαίων ἀπελέγξας μανίαν, εἶδές σου τὸν Σωτῆρα, τοῦ Πατρὸς δεξιόθεν. Αὐτὸν οὖν ἐκδυσώπει ἀεί, ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν 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 Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῷ ἀπροσίτῳ προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι μετὰ Ποιμένων δοξολογοῦσι. Μάγοι δὲ μετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι δι' ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός. For the Ancestors of God Annunciate the miracles to David the ancestor of God, O Joseph. You saw the Virgin pregnant. You glorified with the shepherds. You worshipped with the Magi. And you were warned by an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls. For the Proto-martyr O Stephen, a crown of royalty was laid on your head for contests you courageously endured for Christ our God, as first among Martyr saints. You stood in accusation of the raging Judeans; and you saw your Savior at the right hand of the Father. We pray that you will ever entreat Him to save our souls. For the Parish 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 On this day the Virgin gives birth to the Superessential. To the Unapproachable, earth is providing the grotto. Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. Following a star the Magi are still proceeding. He was born for our salvation, a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God.

SAINT BASIL THE GREAT Saint Basil the Great was born in 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. He studied in Constantinople, then in Athens, where he formed a friendship with the young Gregory the Theologian. Through the good influence of his sister Macrina, he chose to embrace the ascetic life. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetic life; here he wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, he was elected bishop and was entrusted with the Church of Christ, living in voluntary poverty and strict asceticism. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, tried to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it 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. Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' 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. Spent with extreme ascetical practices and continual labors at the helm of the church, Basil departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379 at the age of forty-nine. Saints and Feasts ΑΓΙΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΣ Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ Γεννήθηκε το 329 στη Νεοκαισάρεια του Πόντου. 'Εδρασε επί αυτοκρατορίας του Ουάλη, ο οποίος ασπαζόταν την διδασκαλία του αιρετικού Αρείου. Οι γονείς του Βασίλειος και Εμμέλεια ήταν εύποροι και με έντονα ανεπτυγμένο το χριστιανικό φρόνημα. Από νωρίς ο Βασίλειος επέδειξε ζήλο για μάθηση και γρήγορα κατέκτησε σε βάθος όλες τις επιστήμες, εφαρμόζοντας παράλληλα υποδειγματικά την ευαγγελική σοφία. Το 370 ανακηρύχτηκε αρχιεπίσκοπος της Καισαρείας της Καππαδοκίας, αξίωμα το οποίο έθεσε στον αγώνα υπέρ της ορθόδοξης πίστης. Με την συγγραφή πολλών έργων θέλησε να πολεμήσει τα φρονήματα των αιρετικών και να διδάξει το χριστιανικό τρόπο ζωής. 'Ιδρυσε την ''ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΑΔΑ'', συγκρότημα μα ευαγή ιδρύματα. Απεβίωσε εν ειρήνη στα 50 του χρόνια. APOSTLE STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR St. Stephen was a Jew living in the Hellenic provinces and one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles to serve the Church in Jerusalem (thus making him an archdeacon). In the words of Asterias: St Stephen was "the starting point of the martyrs, the instructore of suffering for Christ, the foundation of righteous confession, since Stephen was the first to shed his blood for the Gospel." The Holy Spirit worked powerfully through his faith, enabling him to perform many miracles. The Jews in their hatred of St. Stephen lied about him to the people, but St. Stephen with his face illumined reminded the people of the miracles God had worked through him and even rebuked the Jews for killing the innocent Christ. The people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and 'gnashed their teeth' at Stephen. It was then that he saw his Christ in the heavens and declared it so. Hearing this, the Jews took him outside the city and stoned him to death, with his kinsman Saul (later St. Paul) holding their coats while they did it. Afar off on a hill was the Virgin Mary and St. John the Theologian who witnessed this first martyrdom for the Son of God and prayed for him while he was being stoned.

DEBT ELIMINATION PLEDGES RECEIVED (As of December 21, 2015) The St Nicholas Community would like to thank all those who have already made their pledge to help eliminate our debt. If you haven t yet, please let our Lord guide you to your donation. 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. Metropolitan Nikitas & Lulias, John Rev Fr James & Presvytera Vasiliki Rousakis Rev Fr Sampson & Prevytera Mallory Kasapakis Abare, Irene Alahouzos, Chris Alesafis, Michael & Kathy Andriotis, George Andropoulos, DeRose (In memory of Alexander Kaloudis) Andropoulos, James & Angeline Angeliadis, Gregory & Maria Apostolides, Ipatia Arfaras, Duchess Archangel Michael Shrine Assimack, Kathleen Bakas, Elizabeth Bangos, William & Manias, Niko Bilirakis, Emmanuel & Maria Bilirakis, Michael & Evelyn Billiris, Anna & George Billiris, Mary Bouchlas, Constantine The Boyiazis Family, in blessed memory of Yvonne Boyiazis Burruss, Mary Chakos, Michael Chrysostomou, Chrysoulla Chrysakis, Chris & Naomi Chrysakis, Emmanuel Chrysakis, Phil & Tiffany Coburn, Kyle & Mary Cosmos, Nancy Cretekos, Mr & Mrs Cuccuro, Ralph & Helen George (In memory of Nick & Frances Cretekos) Curlew Hills Memory Gardens (In memory of Irene Skinitis) Dakakos, Toni Dance Ministry Daskaroulis, Bill & Francine Demos, Kathryn Dobies Funeral Home Ergas, Michael Fatolitis, Evelyn Fernandes, Mr & Mrs Robert Georgion, Stephanie (in memory of Georgiou Georgion) Giallourakis, Bill C. Giannas, Mr & Mrs Pericles Ginnis, Nick & Thelma Gombos, Emmanuel Guido, Haroula Harding, Spanos & Tina Harvard, Kally Haskopoulos, John & Denise Haskopoulos, Evangelia Hellenic Benevolent Society Hourdas, Peter Intl Union of Painters Joanow, Sylvia Johnson, William & Sherry Kappas, Dennis Karavokiros, Irene Karavokiros, Pam & Steve Katsaras, Kalliope Katsaras, Renee Katsulos, Theophanis Kavouklis, Dr & Mrs Laz Kavouklis, Ruth Keeter, Kelly Kikis, Eleftheria Kissanis, Anthony & Athanasia Klonaris, Michael & Maria Kokolis, Stella Koukoulakis, Maria Kouremetis, Michael & Terri Kouskoutis, George & Maria Kouskoutis, Michael & Tina Kovach, Stathia Lelekis, John & Calliope Loe, Virginia Mammas, Carmen Manglis, Theofilos & Tula Manias, Evangelia Manias, Kallie (in memory of) Manias, Nicholas & Michelle Manias, Nikitas & Aspasia March 25th Parade Committee Margaritis, Diane Markopulos, Karen Markos, Anastasios & Angeline Mazarakis, Donna Miaoulis, Emmanuel Miaoulis, Nick Mikaleff, Irene Miliotis, John & Bessie Miller, Christopher & Evelyn Monokandilos, Drosso Mouratidis, Pano & Niki Mr Souvlaki / Kikilis Corp. Nelsen, William & Leoni Nicholas III, Paul G. Palaidis, Chris & Geneva Panageotou, Bill Pantelis, Mike & Irene Pantelis, Nick & Sylvia Papadakis, Sandy Patsalides, Harry & Ana Person, Jean Petalas, John Phillips, Pauline Philipson, Susan Pikos Implant Institute Pilitsis, Dr. John V. Post, Zenon Pseftelis, Vasilis & Kaliope Psiropoulos, George & Frieda Rigas, Evangeline Rigas, James & Christina Rigas, Stratos & Maria Royal Bridge Painting Co. Samarkos, Charles & Anne Saravanos, Anthony & Mary Ann Shoemaker, James & Cathrine Skandaliaris, Anargiros & Lora Smith, E. Victoria Solon, George Spanolios, Peter & Anna St. Nicholas Greek School St. Nicholas Philoptochos Stamas, George Stamas, Anna Stamas, John & Donna Stavropoulos, Mary Stephanos, Evelyn & John Stratakis, Peter & Doris Johnsen Sullivan, Stephanie Tharin Jr, Robert & Irene Theofilos, Kathy Theofilos, John Theophilopoulos, Dean & Ellyn Tsambis, Kon/nos & Anna Tsangaris, Charles & Mary Tsataros, Nick & Kathie Tsoukalas, Eleni Tsoutsanis, Samuell Vazopolos, Steve Vlahakis, Lydia Vouvalis, George Vouvalis, Nicholas Wohl, Bruce Zisimopoulos, Harry & Helen

If we have the faith to dive in head-first. Our Epiphany celebration draws attention from around the world. But at the root of this holy day is a baptism. In baptism, submergence in water represents death to the old ways of sin, and what follows is a resurrection a rebirth to a new life in Christ. While Orthodox Christians are baptized only once, as a community we commemorate Christ s baptism every year. What better time to renew your life in Christ? What better way than through stewardship? We are stewards of the first catch.

The ECYD Committee requests your help to send our dancers to HDF 2016! The Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) of the Atlanta Metropolis is scheduled for January 2016, in Orlando, FL. The St. Nicholas Dance Ministry leaders and thirty youth dancers will be participating for the first time in a number of years. Various fundraisers to cover the hotel expenses for HDF have been scheduled by the Dance Ministry leaders, parents and dancers. However, the registration fee is $180 per participant -- that is, $5,400 for all the participants. In addition, the ministry will pay for the musician s cost of over $3,100. With Christmas coming soon, the Education, Culture & Youth Diakonia (ECYD) Committee is asking the St. Nicholas parish family to donate toward the registration fees for the dancers. The dancers are working very hard, practicing their dances and songs at least 3 times a week in preparation for HDF. Your donation will help and especially encourage them in knowing that the Cathedral parish family is supporting this effort. If you are able to, please make out your check to: St. Nicholas Cathedral (memo: Dance Ministry HDF Registration). Please take or send your donation to the church office by the end of December, so our dancers can register and represent St. Nicholas Cathedral. If any questions, please contact Karen Markopulos, ECYD Chair at kkouslp@gmail.com or 727-485-4397. Wishing everyone a joyful, blessed, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2015-2016 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Thursday, December 24, 2015, Christmas Eve Vesperal Liturgy of Saint Basil Orthros of the Nativity Liturgy of the Nativity 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Friday, December 25, 2015, Christmas Day Orthros of the Nativity Liturgy of the Nativity 8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. Sunday, December 27, 2015, St Stephanos the First Martyr / Sunday after Nativity Orthros 8:00 a.m. Liturgy (οne Liturgy only) 9:15 a.m. Friday, January 1, 2016, St Basil & Circumcision of Christ Orthros 9:00 a.m. Liturgy of St Basil 10:00 a.m. Sunday, January 3, 2016, Sunday before Epiphany Orthros 8:00 a.m. Liturgy (οne Liturgy only) 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2016, Eve of Epiphany Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil, followed by Lesser Blessing of the Waters 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016, Holy Epiphany Orthros Archierarchical Liturgy Greater Blessing of Waters (Cathedral) Procession to Spring Bayou Blessing of the Bayou and Casting of the Cross 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

OUR PRIESTS ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU Fr. James Rousakis (727-698-3974, frrous@aol.com) and F r. S a m p s o n K a s a p a k i s ( 9 4 1-266- 3 2 2 9, frsampson@stnicholastarpon.org) are here to serve you. Please call, text or e-mail them for any spiritual needs. Kindly do not use the priests social media sites (e.g. Facebook), as your message might be inadvertently overlooked. To schedule sacraments, e-mail or call Fr. James. Ο Πατήρ Δημήτριος 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 727-808-3895 for further information. LET US HOST YOUR NEXT PARTY Reserve Father Tryfon Hall or the Community Center for 2015 corporate holiday parties or your next event through 2016. Visit the hall rental website at http://www.stnicholasvenues.com or call the church office at 727-937-3540. ARTOKLASIES / MEMORIAL SERVICES Contemplating having an artoklasia or a memorial service? Kindly call Soultana in our parish office at 727-937-3540 to make arrangements. Kollyva for memorials (μνημόσυνα) may be ordered through: Antonia Korfias (727-937-8785) Irene Koutelas (727-934-5245) Evangelia Stavropoulos (727-937-5649) Contact info for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement.

2016 CALENDARS ARE IN! The 2016 Calendars have arrived! Stay up-to-date with the Greek Orthodox holidays by picking up your copy at the St Nicholas office during normal business hours. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EPIPHANY Your help is needed! Please contact parish administrative assistant S o u l t a n a K a l l i g a s ( 7 2 7-937- 3 5 4 0, Soultana@stnicholastarpon.org) or Costas Sisois (727-858-2630) to volunteer for the annual St. Nicholas Epiphany Glendi that will be held at the St Nicholas Community Center on Wednesday, January 6. Thank you, in advance, for the anticipated sharing of your valuable time to help our parish. COLLABORATING TO BETTER SERVE The Tarpon Springs Consortium of Churches and Provider Organizations, in conjunction with the Tarpon Springs Ministerial Association, cordially invites you to join us on Tuesday, January 12 at 10am, for our second community meeting (Fr Tryfon Hall, 36 N. Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs). A detailed agenda will be forthcoming soon, including an update on: MARC (Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities) Grant and Asset Mapping; Community needs assessment; Cold night shelter; Community programs for the Spanish speaking; Day Center for the homeless. Come share with pastors, potential volunteers and interested community residents. Please bring your promotional materials. Refreshments will be served. Participants: Tarpon Springs Ministerial Association Florida Hospital North Pinellas Citizen s Alliance for Progress Wellness Ministries Cops and Kids Salvation Army Shepherd Center Tarpon Springs Police Department Metropolitan Ministries Peace4Tarpon Tarpon Springs Housing Authority St. Timothy s Lutheran Church St. Nicholas Greek Cathedral Parish Council Juvenile Welfare Board Mt. Moriah AME Church Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church Pregnancy Center Interested community residents

NOTES OF THANKS DUELING PIANOS The concert was amazing! The people who made it happen were amazing! The pianists: Tony DeBlois and Tony Kidonakis The master of ceremonies: Father James Rousakis The office staff: Maria A., Soultana, Jean, Scott The donors: Anna Tataris DeJesus - media publicity; Annie, The 1910 Inn - lodging Tony K.; Choir - table snacks; Fay, Fay's Favors - flyers and posters; Dimitri's on the Water and Mykonos Restaurants - hors d'oeuvres; Irene Jacobs; Michele Manoussos; Publix - cake ; Jacquie Pissanos - fruit; John Lulias - Carlson Maritime Travel; Philoptochos - koulouria The auction: Charlie Samarkos family City of Tarpon Springs Cultural Services Fay Legakis Kathy Kavouklis Dobies Kathy Matsis Maria Angeliadis family Nick Chagaris family Nikitas Manias family Sylvia Joanow The hard-working volunteers: Chazz Phillips; Costa Sisois; Evelyn Manias Miller; Fay Spanos; George Dovellos; Gracie Samarkos; Irene Jacobs; Jacquie Pissanos; John Lulias; Karen Markopulos; Kathy Matsis; Maria Rigas; Maria Sarantis; Mary Samarkos; Mike Kouremetis; Nikita Manias; Stephanie Vostitsanos; Sylvia Joanow The audience: Approximately 200 people! Many, many thanks to all. We are already receiving calls about when the Tonys are coming back! (If we missed your name, please forgive the slip. It was a pretty hectic time. Call the office so that we may recognize you in the next bulletin. We do appreciate you!) DINNER FOR THE ELDERLY For the 17th consecutive year, on December 19, our youth ministry and volunteers served and delivered Christmas dinner to the elderly people in our community. We served over 520 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 (individuals 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 were also blessed to give toys for the Tarpon Springs Police holiday giveaway. We would 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 the one who helped with the cooking) and all of those who helped (societies and parishioners), for the food they donated....for it is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35 May God continue to bless our youth and community. Chris Palaidis

Calling all St. Nicholas College Students!!! Apply for a Sophia G. Colovos Scholarship through St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Spring Session 2016 Deadline 1/19/16 All forms are on www.stnicholastarpon.org; print out or pick up packet from Parish office and return by deadline above. Remember to fill out 2015 and 2016 St. Nicholas Stewardship Card! It s easy to do! Please review checklist below for required documents: Current scholarship application Application must be completed in full. You may attach any additional comments that explain your special circumstances to the Trustee of the Colovos Scholarship Fund. Academic transcript of the previous semester Minimum GPA is 3.0 Recent high school graduates should provide their high school transcript. For college students, an online print-out of final grades is usually acceptable. Proof of class registration for the upcoming semester Must be full time student: 12 credit minimum (with the exception of Summer session.) If your program is full time but less than 12 credits, provide explanation and proof. Parent s current Personal Tax Return Your current Personal Tax Return (if applicable) You must be a Steward/Active member of the Church for a continuous two (2) year period immediately prior to the application for a scholarship from the Fund. Applicants 18 years old or older need to be stewards in their own name even if a dependent living at home. For any questions, please contact Education, Culture & Youth Diakonia Committee Chair Karen Markopulos @ kkouslp@gmail.com, or you may contact the St. Nicholas Cathedral Office @ 727-937-3540.

ST NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS Monday: 9:00-10:00 am; Wed-Thu: 10:00 am - noon Mission Statement To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need to help of the Church through fund-raising efforts. St. Nicholas Philoptochos and St. Nicholas Choirs Christmas Party Every year The Haven of RCS, a Domestic Violence Center in Clearwater, is the guest of honor at the Christmas Party. Philoptochos donated $500 to The Haven. This is truly the gift of Christmas! Thank you for supporting The Haven of RCS and I always look forward to attending St. Nicholas' Christmas Party. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your church donated $795.00 in gift cards and $110.00 in cash and checks. Thank you so much for helping make the holidays brighter for survivors of DV and their children. Erica Wiedemann; Program Director Upcoming Events Jan. 6 th Epiphany (Pastry Booth) January 24 th Membership Tea January 20 th : General Meeting 7p.m. February 21 st : Fashion Show St Nicholas Philoptochos, 18 Hibiscus St (directly behind St. Nicholas Cathedral) Mailing address: P.O. Box 2043, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 + Tel: 727-944-3366

SAINT NICHOLAS BOOKSTORE Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; Wednesdays : 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am - noon The perfect place to purchase meaningful gifts while supporting our Cathedral. We also have a large selection of books on Orthodoxy, Bibles, icons, CDs, DVDs, and much more. If you have not been to the bookstore lately, come and see what is new! Greek Orthodox calendar holder with replaceable daily calendar $18.00 Two-sided per page with date information as well as Feast days, recipes and jokes. The dates are in both Greek and English. Also sold separately: Calendars $8.00, Calendars holders $10.00 St. Basil Icons $26.00 - $50.00 Beautiful Icons of St. Basil the Great and other saints celebrating Feast Days in January are available in various sizes and designs. St. Anthony's 2015 Calendar $10.00 Bilingual English-Greek wall calendar with photographs of the churches, chapels and grounds of St. Anthony's Monastery and its surroundings. The calendar displays: Both new and old calendar dates; Saints and scripture readings of the day; Fasting rules; Quotes from the writings of the saints and contemporary holy elders; Phases of the moon Vasilopita Coin $15.00 One of the more beautiful and inspirational traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church is the annual family celebration of the Vasilopita. The tradition began in the 4 th century with St. Basil who gave bakers gold coins to insert into loaves of sweetened bread for the poor. It is very much alive in our Orthodox homes and a wonderful way to begin each New Year. 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!

SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 17 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 + Tel: 727-937-3540 + Fax: 727-937-1739 CATHEDRAL OPEN FOR PRAYER: Monday-Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Fr. James Rousakis, Acting Dean & Vicar 727-698-3974 Fr. Sampson Kasapakis, Assistant Priest 941-266-3229 Nikitas Manias, Council President 863-559-0580 Maria Angeliadis, Office Manager Soultana Kalligas, Administrative Assistant www.stnicholastarpon.org PARISH MINISTRIES & DEPARTMENTS ALTAR SERVERS Jerry Theophilopoulos 727-946-2225 BOOKSTORE Vasilis Panageotou 727-385-4321 BOY SCOUTS Theodora Genduso 727-243-1706 & Antonio Genduso 727-243-1786 CHANTERS Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis 727-698-3400 & Anthony Hatzidakis 727-698-3401 CHOIR, 1 st LITURGY Katie Faklis 727-937-1214 CHOIR, 2 nd LITURGY DeRose Andropoulos 727-234-3946 DANCE MINISTRY Maria Kouskoutis 727-942-7440 & Eva Athanasatos 727-251-4768 EDUCATION, CULTURE & YOUTH Karen Markopulos 727-485-4397 EPIPHANY COMMITTEE Emmanuel Gombos 727-937-8658 & Johanna Kossifidis 727-741-3182 G.O.Y.A. (9-12 grade) Theodora Kampouraki 954-478-4157 & Emmanuel Gombos 727-937-8658 & Penny Lambrianos 727-938-7417 GREEK AFTERNOON SCHOOL Chris Palaidis 727-808-3895 HOPE (K-2 gr.) & JOY (3-6 gr.) JR G.O.Y.A. (6-8 grade) Maria Angeliadis 727-505-9856 PHILOPTOCHOS Tina Chagaris 727-944-3366 PRESCHOOL Jessica Gorman 727-937-7122 STEWARDSHIP Charles Samarkos -727-480-3289 SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Galatiani Leadbetter 727-455-6712 YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE (Y.A.L.) -- Fr Sampson Kasapakis 941-266-3229 WEBSITE Mick Geary ORGANIZATIONS & SOCIETIES AHEPA James Miller 727-243-4546 SONS OF PERICLES Jimmy Makris 727-446-3100 DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Margo Filley 727-488-0892 ATHENIAN SOCIETY Helen Kariofilis 727-808-9746 CHIOS SOCIETY Chrysanthi Psoras 727-597-8421 CRETAN SOCIETY Angelo Sakis 402-541-6124 HALKI SOCIETY Michele Manousos 727-858-4456 HELLENIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION Emmanuel Ioannidis 727-934-3885 KALYMNIAN SOCIETY Nikolas Sazalis 727-945-0348 LACONIAN SOCIETY Theodore Tsafatinos 727-692-4028 PANCYPRIAN SOCIETY Angela Georgiadis 727-319-6804 PROMETHEAS SOCIETY Effie Vassiliou 727-692-6565 SYMIAN SOCIETY Michael Faklis 727-937-3602