Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, February 12, 2017 Sunday of the Prodigal Son, February 12
WEEKLY MESSAGE In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus tells us a story of two sons, one loyal and the other not. The not-so-loyal son, thinking he was deserving of his inheritance early, spent everything he had on harlots and sinful living. The loyal son remained at home with their father and maintained the family business. The not-so-loyal son found himself broke and hungry with nothing to call his own. The loyal son had the family wealth at his fingertips whenever he desired. After a long separation, the three were reunited. The not-so-loyal son was comforted by the father while the loyal son found himself suffering with anger. What was the difference? Both sons were loved by the father, but only one experienced his love as comfort. When the not-so-loyal son returned to his father to become a servant, the father was willing to forget his sins and selfishness and welcome him home again. The father never once stopped waiting for his son to return, and the son felt the father s love deep in his heart. The loyal son, though he never left the father, refused to experience the father s love as comfort. Instead he could only resent his brother for returning home as if nothing had happened. The father never stopped sharing everything he had with the loyal son, but the loyal son never accepted his father s love. The difference was love. Without love, the son s loyalty was nothing more than a job. Without love, the father may have forgiven the son, but would never have welcomed him home. Without love, both sons would be left out in the cold; but with love both sons had the potential of being comforted by the father. Love makes all the difference. The Orthodox Church teaches that this parable is about our reality of being loved by God. If we experience God s love as comfort, we will be in heaven. If we experience God s love as a burden and unfair as the loyal so experienced, we will be in hell. Heaven and hell won t be about whether or not we sinned. Heaven and hell will be about how we experience God s love. Do you want to be in heaven? Then you must learn the lesson of love. Love isn t about loyalty and obligation. Love is about forgiveness and repentance. As we continue our preparations for Great Lent, the Church invites us to choose to experience God s love for what He intends. God loves every one of us, loyal or not. It is our choice how we experience His love.
TODAY S SPECIAL SERVICES FIRST DIVINE LITURGY MEMORIALS 40-day: 3-year: Nicholas Robert Genereux, Fotini Pitsonis Athanasia Fragkou, Eftichia Olandezos SECOND DIVINE LITURGY NO SPECIAL SERVICES SCHEDULED 40-DAY PRAYER LIST Simeon, Irene, Giannis, Nomiki, Diasynou, Eleni, Niki, Artemis, Mary, Kostas, Maria, Irene Prayer for a Sick Person Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten 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 e-mail (soultana@stnicholastarpon.org) or telephone (727-937-3540) by Monday at 5:00 pm.
ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Κορινθίους Αʹ 6:12-20 Ἀ δελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλ' οὐ πάντα συμφέρει πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν ὁ δὲ Θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ Κύριος τῷ σώματι ὁ δὲ Θεὸς καὶ τὸν Κύριον ἤγειρε καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρα οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ Κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστι. φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν Αγίου Πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ Θεοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν; ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν Θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν καὶ ἐν τῶ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστι τοῦ Θεοῦ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν ιεʹ 11-32 Ε ἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. καὶ μετ' οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισεν τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὰ κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ὧδε ἀπόλλυμαι! ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ἑαυτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱὸς πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησεν, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. Ἦν δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει, καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. ὠργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. ὁ οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρὶ ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ' ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. 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.
EPISTLE Ι Corinthians 6:12-20 B rethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God. GOSPEL Luke 15:11-32 T he Lord said this parable, The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" 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.
Variable Sunday Liturgy Hymns Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε. 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 Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. Resurrectional Apolytikion The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your kingdom; glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind. 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 I revolted senselessly out of Your fatherly glory; I have squandered sinfully all of the riches You gave me.hence to You, using the Prodigal's words, I cry out, I have sinned before You, merciful loving Father. O receive me in repentance, I pray, and treat me as one of Your hired hands.
Saints and Feasts of the Week ST MELETIOS This holy Father was a just, reverent, sincere, and most gentle man. Consecrated Bishop of Sebastia in 357, he was later banished from his throne and departed for Beroea of Syria. After the Arian bishop of Antioch had been deposed, the Orthodox and the Arians each strove to have a man of like mind with themselves become the next Bishop of Antioch. Meletius was highly esteemed by all, and since the Arians believed him to share their own opinion, they had him raised to the throne. As soon as he had taken the helm of the Church of Antioch, however, he began preaching the Son's consubstantiality with the Father. At this, the archdeacon, an Arian, put his hand over the bishop's mouth; Meletius then extended three fingers towards the people, closed them, and extended one only, showing by signs the equality and unity of the Trinity. The embarrassed archdeacon then seized his hand, but released his mouth, and Meletius spoke out even more forcibly in defense of the Council of Nicaea. Shortly after, he was banished again. After the passage of time, he was recalled to his throne, but was banished the third time by Valens. When the Emperor Gratian had made the Spanish General Theodosius commanderin-chief of his armies, Theodosius had a dream in which he saw Meletius, whom he had never met, putting upon him the imperial robe and crown. Because of Theodosius's victories, Gratian made him Emperor of the East in 379. When, as Emperor, Saint Theodosius the Great convoked the 2nd Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, he forbade that anyone should tell him who Meletius was; and as soon as he saw him, he ran to him with joy, embraced him before all the other bishops, and told him of his dream. There, the saint fell ill and reposed a short while after. St Gregory of Nyssa gave a moving oration at his funeral; bewailing his loss, he said, "Where is that sweet serenity of his eyes? Where that bright smile upon his lips? Where that kind right hand, with fingers outstretched to accompany the benediction of the mouth?" (PG 46:8-6). His holy relics were returned & buried in Antioch. ΆΓΙΟΣ ΜΕΛΕΤΙΟΣ Ο Άγιος Μελέτιος γεννήθηκε περί το 310. Η μαρτυρία περί της πρώτης εμφανίσεώς του στο προσκήνιο της ιστορίας τον καταδεικνύει ως οπαδό του Επισκόπου Καισαρείας της Παλαιστίνης Ακακίου, ο οποίος δια Συνόδου εκλέγει τον Άγιο Μελέτιο ως Επίσκοπο Σεβαστείας. Λόγω όμως της σφοδράς αντιδράσεως των οπαδών του προηγουμένου Επισκόπου, παραιτείται και μεταβαίνει στη Βέροια Συρίας. Το 360 εκλέγεται Πατριάρχης Αντιοχείας. Στη νέα του όμως έδρα ο Άγιος παρέμεινε ένα μόνο μήνα, αφού οι αιρετικοί Αρειανοί έπεισαν τον αυτοκράτορα Κωνστάντιο να τον εξορίσει. Τα ορθόδοξα φρονήματα του Αγίου, ως και η εξορία του και η αντικατάστασή του, συνετέλεσαν στη δημιουργία μεγάλης παρατάξεως των οπαδών του, που ονομάσθηκαν «Μελετιανοί». Η εξορία του Αγίου ετερματίσθηκε δια του διατάγματος του αυτοκράτορος Ιουλιανού του Παραβάτου περί θρησκευτικής ελευθερίας όλων των υπηκόων. Ο Άγιος εξορίσθηκε και πάλι την από τον αυτοκράτορα Ουάλη. Επανήλθε στην Αντιόχεια το 379. Αμέσως συνεκάλεσε Σύνοδο, η οποία ομολογούσε την πίστη στις αποφάσεις της Α Οικουμενικής Συνόδου και κατεδίκασε όλες τις αιρέσεις. Όταν ο αυτοκράτορας Θεοδόσιος ο Μέγας συνεκάλεσε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη τη Β Οικουμενική Σύνοδο, ο Άγιος Μελέτιος εκλήθηκε να λάβει μέρος και μάλιστα ως πρόεδρος αυτής. Δυστυχώς, εκοιμήθηκε λόγω ασθενείας, πριν ολοκληρωθούν οι εργασίες της Συνόδου. Στην κηδεία συμμετείχε και ο αυτοκράτορας, τον δε επικήδειο εξεφώνησε ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Νύσσης, ο οποίος ομίλησε για τον απορφανισμό της Εκκλησίας της Αντιοχείας, της Συνόδου και ολόκληρης της Ανατολής, για την γλυκύτητα και την υπομονή του Αγίου Μελετίου, ως και για τους διωγμούς τους οποίους υπέστη.
2016 DEBT ELIMINATION PLEDGES RECEIVED 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 (As of Thursday, February 9, 2017) Kouremetis, Sevasti Koukoutis, N. Michael & Tina Koutelas, Irene Lelekis, John & Calliope MAJ Investments Manias, Nikitas & Aspasia Markos Jewelry Ring Donation Nelsen, William & Leoni Ognenovski, Vlado & Violeta Pappas, Bessie Parish Council Patsalides, Harry & Anna Psilakis, Erasmia Royal Bridge Samarkos, Charles & Annie Shoemaker, James & Catherine Shontz, Alexandra St Nicholas Bookstore St Nicholas Dance Ministry Mrs Tagarelli, Albert Tsantakis, Christina Vatikiotis, Costas & Darlene Vouvalis, Nicholas Ypsilantis, Hercules (In memory of Kivotos & Rousa Ypsilantis) Zantopoulos, Bessie DEBT ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN The St Nicholas Community thanks all who have pledged to help eliminate our debt. Though $1,000 is the target amount, no amount is too small or too large. If you are unable to help, we welcome your prayers and moral support. Campaign status as of Thursday, February 9, 2017 Debt Elimination Pledges Received $ 171,859.00 Debt Elimination Monies Received $ 188,948.00 Credit Line Balance $ 51,396.00 Please contact treasurer Anna Billiris with questions regarding this report. She may be reached at 727-674-5787 or abilliris@usameribank.com.
ΨΥΧΟΧΑΡΤΙ PRAYER SHEET ΥΠΕΡ ΑΝΑΠΑΥΣΕΩΣ FOR THE DECEASED Write full baptismal name - not nicknames. Example: Haralambos, not Bobby. \\\Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, Florida 727-937-3540
ΥΠΕΡ ΥΓΕΙΑΣ FOR HEALTH Detach, save, enter first names only of the living and submit at any Liturgy or Paraklesis. Please write full baptismal name - not nicknames. Example: Erasmia, not Mia. Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, Florida 727-937-3540
OUR PRIESTS ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU F r. A t h a n a s i o s H a r o s ( 7 2 7-7 4 1-0 1 3 9, f r a t h a n a - s i o s @ 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 ( 9 4 1-266-3229, 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) 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 727-808-3895 for further information. LETTERS OF GOOD STANDING Are you participating in a sacrament and need to prove you are an active member of St Nicholas Cathedral? Letters of good sacramental & financial standing are provided following a meeting with the Dean of the Cathedral; please plan your appointment with Fr Athanasios well in advance in order to meet all deadlines prior to the scheduled sacrament. You may contact Fr Athanasios by calling 727-741-0139 or e-mailing frathanasios@stnicholastarpon.org.
SERVICE CANCELLATIONS Due to a clergy retreat this week, services are cancelled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 14, 15 & 16, including the Wednesday evening paraklesis. Thank you for your understanding! MESSAGE FROM HE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS As Greek Orthodox Christians and as Americans, we express our sadness and pain for our brothers and sisters all over the world who find themselves in tragic circumstances of hostility, violence and war, where families have been torn apart, displaced and where people are denied basic human rights. Following the example of Christ, we are called to offer unconditional love to our fellow men while starting immediately to pray for them. In our great country, which has historically and practically welcomed people of every nation, tribe, and tongue, we have the distinct privilege and honor to offer philoxenia love of the stranger to humans from all walks of life. The New Testament is replete with an ethos of philoxenia love of the stranger based not on fear but on care and on gratitude. Welcome one another, says Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans, even as Christ welcomed you (Rom. 15:7). Christian philoxenia must not only be extended to those close to us, but must be extended to those near and far away, and even to those who will not reciprocate to the poor, the stranger, even those who hate us. For Christ says, if you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you? (Luke 14:14). As a vital expression of love, we must continue to fervently pray for peace for the entire humanity, especially for those affected by difficult circumstances. Our fellow humans who are suffering under terrible conditions and ordeals all over the world are expecting justice and begging for our love and prayers; even the least among them. As Christ said, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Matt. 25:40). In these most difficult times, the strongest expression of our philoxenia becomes a very urgent matter. United as one people, as one nation under God, let us proceed courageously, prudently, and lovingly. Always with the help of the Almighty God! 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 http:// www.stnicholasvenues.com or call the church office at 727-937-3540.
Sunday School News February 2017 12 - Class 19 - Class 26 - Class: Sunday of Forgiveness Lesson; Mission Box distribution March 2017 5-Class: Sunday of Orthodoxy (details to be announced) 12 -Class 19 -Class 26 -Class; Holy Friday Registration Deadline We appreciate your commitment and dedication to Sunday School! 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) Evangelia Stavropoulos (727-937-5649) Contact info for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement.
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) 937-3540 AN OFFERING OF WINE... Everyone knows the Church needs wine for Holy Communion, but not everyone knows which type of wine to offer. In order to help you, we have made arrangements for all the communion wine to be delivered to the Cathedral. If you wish to offer one or more bottles to the Church, please contact the office at 727-937-3540....AND OIL Following the ancient tradition of the Temple as commanded by God, Orthodox Christians bring an offering of olive oil to be burned in the Church lamps continually, serving as a reminder of the presence of the Light of God. And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually (Exodus 27.20) We invite anyone to make an offering of oil to the Church, along with the names of loved ones and friends who are alive in the Lord or alive with us on Earth, so that we may pray for you, and your friends and family.
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Tickets to the Youth Talent Show of Tampa Bay are now available for purchase through the St Nicholas Parish Office. Proceeds from the event, scheduled to take place at the Palm Harbor University Theater (1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor, FL), will go toward the building of the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, NC. Call Soultana at 727-937-3540 to purchase your $15- or $20-seats today!
Guess Whooo's Having A Boy! Join us for a Baby Shower Honoring Father Sampson and Presvytera Mallory Kasapakis February 19, 2017 Immediately After 2nd Divine Liturgy Fr. Tryfon Banquet Hall Hosted by Little Lambs, Parish Council & Philoptochos Refreshments will be served Registered at Babies R Us
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. We would like to thank everyone that donated to St. Basil s Academy on Sunday, February 5. Philoptochos collected a total of $1,180.00. May God continue to bless each and every one of you. Join us on Monday, February 13, at 6:00 pm in Fr Tryfon Hall for a pizza party / general meeting and a chance to get a free ticket to the fashion show! All ticket money can be turned in at this meeting, while tickets can to the event will also be available for purchase. 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 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, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Rev Fr Athanasios Haros, Dean 727-741-0139 Rev Fr Sampson Kasapakis, Assistant Priest 941-266-3229 Nikitas Manias, Council President 863-559-0580 Soultana Kalligas, Administrative Assistant Jocelyn Chapman, Bookkeeper / Hall Rentals www.stnicholastarpon.org PARISH MINISTRIES & DEPARTMENTS ALTAR SERVERS J. Theophilopoulos 727-946-2225 BOOKSTORE Vasilis Panageotou 727-385-4321 BOY SCOUTS Theodora Genduso 727-243-1706 & Antonino Genduso 727-243-1786 BYZANTINE ARTS ACADEMY -- Fr Sampson Kasapakis 941-266-3229 CHANTER Theofanis Katsiklis 727-244-6842 CHOIR, 1 st DL Katie Faklis 727-937-1214 CHOIR, 2 nd DL 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 GOYA (6th-12th grade) Theodora Stathakis 954-478-4157 & Emmanuel Gombos 727-937-8658 & Penny Lambrianos 727-938-7417 GREEK SCHOOL Chris Palaidis 727-808-3895 HOPE (Pre-K-5th grade) -- Melissa Tsongranis 727-741-0865 LITTLE LAMBS (40 days-3 years old)-- Presvytera Mallory Kasapakis 561-222-7091 ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL -- Maria Angeliadis 727-505-9856 PHILADELFIA MEN S MINISTRY -- George Tsongranis 727-947-0059 PHILOPTOCHOS Tina Chagaris 727-944-3366 PRESCHOOL Jane Malone 727-937-7122 STEWARDSHIP Charles Samarkos -727-480-3289 SUNDAY SCHOOL Galatiani Leadbetter 727-455-6712 YOUNG ADULT LEADERS (YAL) -- Fr Sampson Kasapakis 941-266-3229 YOUTH CHOIR -- Diane Anastasiades 727-667-8408 ORGANIZATIONS & SOCIETIES AHEPA Tim Keffalas 727-510-3934 DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Margo Filley 727-488-0892 ATHENIAN SOCIETY Helen Kariofilis 727-808-9746 CHIOS SOCIETY Chrysanthi Psoras 727-836-0452 CRETAN SOCIETY Angelo Sakis 402-541-6124 EPIRUS SOCIETY -- Bessie Mandelos 455-8209 HALKI SOCIETY Michele Manousos 727-858-4456 HELLENIC BENEV. ASSN Maria Keramas 518-788-7315 ICARIAN SOCIETY -- Linda Tripodis Murray 727-244-7563 KALYMNIAN SOCIETY Litsa Ikonomou 727-505-6609 KARPATHIAN SOCIETY -- Minas Liristis, 727-967-7507 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 COUNCIL MEMBERS ON DUTY TODAY Anna Billiris Mike Kouremetis Emmanuel Ioannidis Karen Markopulos Charles Samarkos James Shoemaker Nicholas Vouvalis