Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Grave Tone

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.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr George in the 4th Tone

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

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.

Saints and Feasts

April 23

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint 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 unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.

His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)

If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.

April 23

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.

April 24

Mellitus, Archbishop of Canterbury

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11.

ABOUT 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 Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On 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.

Parish News

Special Prayers: Please pray for the spiritual and physical health of the whole world, and especially Faye Peterson, Despina Xynidis, Betty Day, Jim Manos, Jane Anderson, Steve Sarris, Chresanthe Lemieux, and others in this community in need. Pray also for the recent repose of the souls of the stepfather of Father John, and of Pamela “Stormy” Cobbs.

Upcoming Services and Events:

Today, April 23rd The General Assembly will be held after Services! (Lunch will be served with fellowship items). All are encouraged to enjoy lunch while engaging in the internal matters and dialogue for The Good of the Parish! All attending must sign-in immediately after exiting the Narthex according to first initial of your last name!

Tuesday, April 25th, the Feast of St. Mark the Apostle & Evangelist Orthros will be chanted at 6:00 AM followed by Divine Liturgy at 7:00 AM. We welcome the Board of Directors of OCMC back to St. Augustine for their annual Spring Meeting. Having come to the Faith in Christ through the witness of the Apostle Peter, Mark followed him to Rome where he wrote the second Gospel in Greek. He then travelled to Egypt and preached, establishing the Church in Alexandria. His martyrdom came after idolaters bound him with ropes and dragged him through rocky streets until he gave up his soul in 68 AD. If April 25^th falls on or before Pascha, his Feast is translated to Holy Tuesday. (Source: www.goarch.org)

Sunday, April 30th Philoptochos Meeting

Reminders about Approaching for Holy Communion:All Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared to receive Holy Communion are asked to wait in their pews for the direction of the usher guiding Communicants row-by-row up the center aisle. Families with children are encouraged to Commune together. The usher will first guide from the back of the church those Newly Baptized/Illumined and Families with Infants, followed by the Sunday School Children processing with their teachers.

Holy Trinity Stewardship: Stewardship is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values, to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It allows us to participate in the work of God. Bearing fruit in the world is the visible result of our abiding in Christ, the True Vine. Please take the time to make your 2017 Holy Trinity Church Stewardship commitment and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care.

Weekly Offering:We support this church by sharing of our time, talents, and treasures. If each of us gives in proportion to God’s blessings upon us, our church will continue to flourish. Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

Do you have changes to your contact information? Please email any updates or changes to the church at holy3goc@gmail.com or leave a message at the church office, 904.829.0504.

Asterakia Dance Group: Practices are resuming for the Asterakia dancers. The children meet in the large Sunday school classroom during coffee hour. Lessons are 30 – 45 minutes long. New students are welcomed. For more information, please see Angela Lekos. The following are the upcoming dates for the practices:

Sunday, April 23^rd

Sunday, April 30^th

Sunday, May 7^th

Do you yet need documentation of your 2016 contributions to Holy Trinity for tax purposes? Please contact HTGOC Treasurer Nicola Lykam at church office holy3goc@gmail.com or leave a message for her at the office (904) 829.0504.

Church Alarm Code & Password has been changed:Please ask an Executive Officer of the Parish Council or contact the office if you need access to the church outside of service and business hours.

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On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha, Orthodox Christians celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Savior captive. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers us restoration, transformation, and eternal life.

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