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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-24
Bulletin Contents
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (228) 388-6138
  • Street Address:

  • 255 Beauvoir Rd.

  • Biloxi, MS 39531


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Service schedule varies.  The current schedule can be found in the bulletin or parish website.

 


Past Bulletins


Father Paisius McGrath, Presbyter

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Message from Father Paisius

03/24/2024

Glory to Jesus Christ! Greetings to the faithful members and families of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. May the Lord our God bless and guide us all as we journey through Great Lent to His Holy Resurrection!

Today we have arrived at the 1st Sunday of Great Lent also known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy. In today's Gospel Reading from Saint John 1:43-51 we hear of the calling of the Apostle Nathaniel and the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God in this calling. At the basis of our Orthodox Faith is our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and everything in our Faith revolves around this basic affirmation of who Jesus Christ is. Today we find ourselves, like Nathaniel , marveling and affirming the basic truth of the Incarnation: God becoming man for salvation. On this Sunday of Orthodoxy as we commemorate the Restoration of Holy Icons, we do so because of the Incarnation: Icons are possible and find their meaning in the Incarnation as God takes on our human nature so that we may be saved. Today let us full heartedly affirm not only our acceptance of Icons as an important part of our faith along with the Incarnation, but in doing acknowledge that we are following in the faith of our Holy Orthodox Church and so affirming that established by Jesus, the Holy Apostles and each generation of the Church that has come before us!
 
          Your Pastor; 
          Father Paisius R McGrath

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the 2nd Tone

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Peter, when after so many miracles and such high doctrine he confessed that, "Thou art the Son of God" (Matt. xvi. 16), is called "blessed," as having received the revelation from the Father;
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

... while Nathanael, though he said the very same thing before seeing or hearing either miracles or doctrine, had no such word addressed to him, but as though he had not said so much as he ought to have said, is brought to things greater still.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

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March 24

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.


Annuncia
March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)


Iconclimacus
March 30

John Climacus the Righteous, author of The Divine Ladder of Ascent

This Saint gave himself over to the ascetical life from his early youth. Experienced both in the solitary life of the hermit and in the communal life of cenobitic monasticism, he was appointed Abbot of the Monastery at Mount Sinai and wrote a book containing thirty homilies on virtue. Each homily deals with one virtue, and progressing from those that deal with holy and righteous activity (praxis) unto those that deal with divine vision (theoria), they raise a man up as though by means of steps unto the height of Heaven. For this cause his work is called "The Ladder of Divine Ascent." The day he was made Abbot of Sinai, the Prophet Moses was seen giving commands to those who served at table. Saint John reposed in 603, at eighty years of age. See also the Fourth Sunday of the Fast.


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Holy Trinity Calendar

  • Holy Trinity Calendar

    March 24 to March 31, 2024

    Sunday, March 24

    First Sunday of Great Lent

    Forefeast of the Annunciation

    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Procession of the Holy Icons

    5:30PM Great Vespers with Artoklasia: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Mobile AL

    Monday, March 25

    Annunciation of the Theotokos

    Greek Independence Day

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Wednesday, March 27

    6:00PM Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

    7:00PM Potluck Meal

    Friday, March 29

    10:00AM Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

    6:00PM Compline with Akathyst Hymn: Second Stasis

    Saturday, March 30

    GOYA Lenten Retreat - Fort Walton Beach

    Sunday, March 31

    Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas

    Second Sunday of Great Lent

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Memorial - Evangelos Hagicostas

    6:00PM Lenten Sunday Vespers

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Announcements and Events

OUR JOURNEY TO PASCHA INFORMATION

March 24 we begin with our Lenten practice of celebrating the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great on the Sundays of Great Lent in place of the regular Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. 

Also as we prepare to enter this Pascha season you can use a wonderful resource on the Archdiocese website.  Click on each day of the Triodion, Great Lent, Holy Week, or Pentekostarion to see a detailed explaination of the day and on many occasions it's respective icon.  Go to https://www.goarch.org/lent.  See the bulletin insert for a screenshot of the website.

Another great site our parishiners can use is a series of videos called Pilgrimage to Pascha.  Total time for the 8 videos is about 45 minutes.  Video titles include:  Pilgimage to Pascha,  Repentence, Family Prayer, Lenten Services, Fasting from Food, Fasting from Vices, Almsgiving, and The Light of Christ.  The videos were created by Greek Orthodox Church Archdiocese Center for Family Care.  Videos can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWopa4I5g3xCxfPh5dvQvsP8BIC4LuWn-

We offer a reminder that we will have our three Lenten Soul Saturday services on March 16, 23 and 30. Please make sure the names of your departed family members and friends are handed in to Father Paisius so that we can pray for them all at these special Memorial Services. Please provide your names to Father Paisius before services begin. 

As we begin the Great Fast and Great Lent, let us engage faithfully into the Lenten disciplines of fasting, holy confession, prayer, doing good for others and good spiritual reading. Let us fast from meat and dairy but also let us fasting from anger and jealousy and wrong words and actions. For more specific questions about how to engage ourselves with fasting and the other Lenten spiritual practices, please talk with Father Paisius.

During Great Lent we have special Lenten services such as the Salutations to the Holy Theotokos, the Liturgy of Pre Sanctified Gifts on Wednesday and Friday and the Liturgy of Saint Basil on Lenten Sundays. Let us all participate in these beautiful Lenten services and through this grow in our lives spiritually.

We also are asked to prepare ourselves spiritually through the Sacrament of Holy Repentance or Holy Confession . Let us all avail ourselves of the spiritual necessity during our coming time of Great Lent.

During Great Lent another way in which we help others is through participating in the ministry of the Orthodox Christian Ministry Center or OCMC. We can all help with this through their Lenten Coin Box ministry: we collect our loose change throughout Lent and offer it as an offering to God through supporting the mission efforts of OCMC. We have available today in the Narthex these Coin Boxes for everyone, please help us support the growth of our Faith in this way!

Sunday, March 24 we celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy with the Procession of Holy Icons. Please remember to bring your icons from home to properly celebrate this Holy Day.

  ANNOUNCEMENTS

As we have begun Great Lent we announce that we will once again have our Parish Holy Pascha Card and we encourage everyone to participate once again in this beautiful part of our Parish Community Life. Please talk with Chrysanthe Beach for more information on how to participate.

We once again ask for everyone to participate in donations for the flowers that will decorate our Kouvukion for Holy Pascha. Please use your offering envelopes and mark them for Easter Flowers and indicate if the donation is honor of the living or in memory of the departed. Please talk with Eleni Vganges for more information about this.

This year for Holy Pascha we will also be decorating our Church for Holy Pascha with Lilies and other flowering plants. Help us with this effort to beautify our Church as we celebrate our Lord's Holy Resurrection. For more information about donations for this wonderful decoration of the Church please talk with Cassidy and Crystal Anderson.

Our parish welcomes Father Ambrose to our community. We pray that you and your family will find your time here with us to be spiritually inspiring for both you and us.  Father Ambrose Perry is assigned to his new posting with the US Navy  in Pascagoula Mississippi. Father Ambrose is an Orthodox Priest and Navy Chaplain and he and his family will be part of our Parish Community here at Holy Trinity while they are living here.

On March 24 everyone is invited to join together with His Grace Bishop Sebastian and the Clergy and faithful at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Mobile Alabama at 5:30 pm for Great Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Theotokos. Come and celebrate with our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Mobile as they celebrate their Parish Patronal Feast Day!

On Saturday, March 30, the Metropolis Western District GOYA Lenten Retreat will be held at Saints Markella and Demetrius in Mary Esther (Fort Walton Beach) Florida. Please see the event flyer on our Parish Bulletin Board for further information about this exciting Retreat.

 HAPPY GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY, March 25

  Ζήτω η 25η Μαρτίου!

 Greek Independence Day, or the Celebration of Greek Revolution, is celebrated in Greece, Cyprus, and the Greek diasporaannually on March 25. This public holiday honors the Greek Revolution of 1821, and the Feast of the Annunciation.

The Feast of Annunciation is a religious holiday that celebrates the archangel Gabriel appearing to the maiden Mary to inform her that she was pregnant with the divine child. However, the major celebrations center around the independence of the Greek people, after being colonized by the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years.

Greece came under Ottoman rule in the 15th century, in the decades before and after the fall of Constantinople. In 1814, a secret organization called Filiki Eteria (Society of Friends) was founded with the aim of liberating Greece.  The Greek War of Independence lasted for eleven years from 1821 and 1832.  After nine long years of war, Greece was finally recognized as an independent state under the London Protocol of February 1830. In 1832, the final borders of the new state were established.

  

  BIRTHDAYS

Today we offer our best wishes and congratulations to Panagiotis Loukatos and Helena Williams as they celebrate their birthday on March 27.  May the Lord our God bless His servants Panagiotis and Helena. May He grant to them many more blessed and happy years!
 
If we missed your anniversary or birthday it means we don't have you information listed on our roster.  Please let us know so we can make the updates.
 
MEMORIAL
 
We wish to announce that next Sunday, March 31 at the end of Divine Liturgy, we will offer the 40th Day Memorial Service for the newly departed servant of Evangelos Hagicostas. May the Lord our God grant a blessed repose to His newly departed servant, Evangelos, and may his memory be eternal!
 
      PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND RECOVERING 

Pray for Saidi Maalouf, Niki Arnold, Karen Henderson, Tristan Freeman, Photine Hagicostas, and Demetri Vlahos as they recover from their illnesses.  May the Lord our God quickly heal His servants.  Get well soon. 

Please let Father Paisius know of any parishioner who is sick so we may pray for them. 

ORTHODOX STEWARDSHIP

Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed.  See bulletin insert for 2024 Stewardship Pledge Form.  

 

 

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Inserts

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