St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-05-25
Bulletin Contents

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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (817) 283-2291
  • Fax:
  • (817) 545-0302
  • Street Address:

  • 303 Cullum Drive

  • Euless, TX 76040


Contact Information





Services Schedule

Small Paraklesis - Wednesday 6:00PM

Great Vespers - Saturday 5:00PM

Matins - Sunday 8:30AM

Divine Liturgy - Sunday 9:30 AM

Confessions - Saturday after Vespers or upon request


Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

May 25

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.


May 25

Third Finding of the Precious Head of St. John the Baptist

Because of the vicissitudes of time, the venerable head of the holy Forerunner was lost for a third time and rediscovered in Comana of Cappadocia through a revelation to 'a certain priest, but it was found not, as before, in a clay jar, but in a silver vessel, and "in a sacred place." It was taken from Comana to Constantinople and was met with great solemnity by the Emperor, the Patriarch, and the clergy and people. See also February 24.


May 27

John the Russian of Evia

The Holy New Confessor John, a native of Russia, was captured during the Russian campaign against the Turks in 1711 and was thereafter sold into slavery in Asia Minor. In this condition he struggled to serve God in piety even while he served his earthly master in all that was needful. He remained steadfast in the Christian Faith in the face of the many enticements the Moslems provided to lure him to their error, and was granted the grace to work miracles by his prayers. He reposed in peace in 1730. His relics remained incorrupt and are found at New Procopion of Euboia in Greece.


May 29

Holy Ascension

The Lord Jesus passed forty days on earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He also spoke, ate, and drank, thereby further demonstrating His Resurrection. On this Thursday, the fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His last commandment, that is, that they go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for the present, they were not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they receive power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.

Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and saying again the words of the Father's blessing, He was parted from them and taken up. Immediately a cloud of light, a proof of His majesty, received Him. Sitting thereon as though on a royal chariot, He was taken up into Heaven, and after a short time was concealed from the sight of the disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him. At this point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to them and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). These words, in a complete and concise manner, declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith concerning the Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all His dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. As for His sacred disciples, they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit.

It should be noted that the Mount of Olives is a Sabbath's day journey from Jerusalem, that is, the distance a Jew was permitted to walk on the day of the Sabbath. Ecumenius writes, "A Sabbath day's journey is one mile in length, as Clement says in his fifth Stromatis; it is two thousand cubits, as the Interpretation of the Acts states." They draw this conclusion from the fact that, while they were in the wilderness, the Israelites of old kept within this distance from the Holy Tabernacle, whither they walked on the Sabbath day to worship God.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

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

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for 3rd Discovery of the Head of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

Christ God hath revealed to us thy truly ven'rable head as a divine treasure that had been concealed in the earth, O Prophet and Forerunner. Wherefore, as we gather on the feast of its finding, with our hymns inspired of God, we praise Christ the Saviour, Who by thy mighty prayers saveth us from every kind of harm.

Apolytikion of the Synaxis of John the Forerunner in the Second Mode

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise * but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner, * for thou wast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets * since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters * Him Whom they proclaim. * Wherefore having contested for the Truth, * thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades * that God has appeared in the flesh * taking away the sin of the world * and granting us great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from John 9:1-38

At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

He who truly wishes to believe in God must be lifted above himself, his mind, and even the whole world. For this reason, the value of faith is considered higher than the value of man. It is even higher than the value of the whole world. Therefore, the reward of faith should be higher than all of man's possessions along with the glories of this world. The reward of faith is God.
Fr. Matthew the Poor
Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way, p. 74, 20th century

The work of God is, after all, the forming of man. He did this by an outward action, as Scripture says, 'And the Lord took clay from earth, and formed man.' Notice here too how the Lord spit on the earth, and made clay and smeared it on his eyes, showing how the ancient creation was made. He was making clear to those who can understand, that this was the [same] hand of God through which man was formed from clay.
St. Irenaeus
Against Heresies. 5.15.2. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 324.

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Parish Activities

Today the service is presided by the Fr. Bogdan Djurdjulov

2025 STEWARDSHIP as of 5/25/2025

Goal:                                       $550,000

Pledged:                                   $499,330

Pledges Submitted:                  165

Needed to be Pledged:           $50,670

DOME ICONOGRAPHY financials as of 5/25/2025

Total Project value: $411,000

Balance in the account at the beginning of the campaign: $110,898

Pledged (including grant): $251,744

Number of pledges: 77

Needed: $48,358

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:

·         GOYA fundraiser – We will sell T-shirts and Hoodies.

·         Living Word Bookstore: diamond painting icons

·         Coffee Hour: Potluck

·         Please sign up with Silouan Bishop if you would like to say the Lord’s prayer in your native language on Pentecost.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

·         Tuesday, May 27, 8:30 pm:  GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.

·         Wednesday, June 4, 5 pm: Feed the Hungry - packing lunch bags for UGM

·         Sunday, June 8 – Heritage Luncheon. Come Participate in the annual St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church "Heritage Luncheon".  Sign up on Realm or with Zach Reimer to bring a representative food, snack, tradition from your heritage.  Please indicate the country in the memo line and we look forward to seeing you.

·         Tuesday, June 10: St. Tabitha’s Second Tuesday Meeting

·         Sunday, June 15: Philoptochos’ Father’s Day Celebration. (please see the flier in narthex)

·         June 30-July 4: Vacation Bible School

·         June 30-July 4: All Saints Orthodox Summer Camp in Point, Texas, organized by OCA. The registration is open. Camp tuition is $360 due by June 1. Scholarships available. Please contact Ian Rehmet (817) 983-1707 or email: [email protected].   https://www.allsaintssummercamp.org/

·         July 14-19: GOYA Camp Emmanuel – “Under His Wings” in Como, Colorado organized by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver.  The registration is open. Regular Reg. Fee is $550. Scholarships available. Please contact Ian Rehmet (817) 983-1707 or email: [email protected].   https://www.denver.goarch.org/-/2025-camp-emmanuel-1

·         July 25-26-27: Philoptochos Rummage Sale. We are currently accepting donations!

** Clean, gently used clothing (boys, girls, infant, men and ladies)                            

** Shoes

** Appliances (all types)

** Toys

** Rugs

** Jewelry

** Coats (boys, girls, infant, men and ladies)

** Athletic Equipment

** Lamps, tables, chairs -- etcetera and More

Veronica will have an IRS Donation Form if you need one. We may use the Church School Classrooms for donations -- Except the rooms with "Do Not Use" signs. (needed for VBS). Remember to tell your neighbors and friends that we need their donations. Many thanks! Veronica Fisher (817) 269-7473

·         St. John the Baptist Trail Life USA Troop TX- 1313 will start the full operation in September. Stay tune! 

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Prayers Request

Prayer Request – May 25, 2024  

Members of our parish who are in hospital or rehab:

Name:                                                            Baptismal name:

·         Fr. Vasilios Christ                                       Vasilios, Presbyter

·         Dylan Paddison                                           *Dylan

Members of our parish who are in assisted living or nursing home:

Name:                                                            Baptismal name:

·         Leo Alexander                                             Panteleimon

·         Joyce Hofland                                             *Joyce

·         Rada,Valentin, Olimpiu Teodoreanu      Rada,Valentin, Olimpiu-Adrian

·         Velva Johnson                                             Heleni

Members of our parish who are ill / in recovery:

Name:                                                            Baptismal name:

·         Norma Aguinaga                                         *Norma

·         Wes Albaugh                                                *Wes

·         Chrysanthi Andromalos                             Chrysanthi

·         Adrian Antonescu                                       Adrian

·         Elias Bahou                                                  Elias

·         Sorana Bitea                                                 Sorana

·         Michael Bogdos                                           Michael

·         Kassandra Bogordos                                   Kassandra

·         Robin Boomstra                                          *Robin

·         Jason Caros                                                  Jason

·         Margaret Chokas                                         Maria

·         Tim Cline                                                      Timothy

·         Edward Tex Collins                                     Taxiarchon

·         Mariana Cuceu                                            Maria

·         Vladimir Dempsey                                      Vladimir

·         Helen Dieb                                                    Helen

·         David Dube                                                  *David

·         Orest & Refije Duka                                   Anesti & Katherine

·         Tamara Eftimie                                           Tamara

·         Timothy Elder                                              Timothy

·         Michael & Kathy Fox                                 Michael & Katherine

·         Awni & Maryan Haddad                           Rafael & Maryan

·         Betsy Hayes                                                 Isidora

·         Armando Herrera Sr.                                   *Armando

·         Jennifer Hock                                               Zenobia

·         Steve Howton                                              *Steve

·         Heather Olivia Gregoire                              Mary

·         Harry & Virginia Karegeannes                 Haralambos & Catherine

·         Domnica Iliescu                                           Mihaela

·         Filiratos & Alina Ionita                             Filiratos & Alina

·         Petar & Slavica Ivovic                               Petar & Slavica

·         Yolanda Johnson                                         *Yolanda

·         Abraham Maayeh                                       Abraham

·         George & Victoria Manos                         George & Victoria

·         Themis & Zoe Mavrelli                              Euthymia & Zoe

·         Catherine Macdonald                                 Catherine

·         Laurentiu, Laura & Liliana Nicolescu     Laurentiu, Laura & Liliana Gabriela

·         Ruby Phillips                                                 *Ruby

·         Cristina Popa                                               Cristina

·         Candice, Ricardo & Annette Reyes         *Candice, *Ricardo, *Annette         

·         Linda Saliba                                                 *Linda

·         Ted Sarros                                                     John

·         Robert Steffaro                                            Rodion

·         Elizabeth Strong                                          Elizabeth

·         Dave & Shanna Trosko                              *Dave & *Shanna

·         Georgia Vratinina                                        Georgia

·         Gary Winfrey; Hellen Yu                          *Gary; *Hellen

Members of our parish who have chronic illnesses:

Name:                                                            Baptismal name:

·         Gabriel, Rita & Marina Abanoub            Gabriel, Rita & Marina

·         Tami, Olivia & Nathaniel Brugman        Dymphna, Theodora & Nathaniel

·         John & Darrel Brugman                            *John & *Darrel

·         Andrew Lucas Burlacu                               *Andrew Lucas

·         Ashley Choate                                             Maria Magdalena

·         Elizabeth Cronin                                          Elizabeth

·         Raquel & Rebecca De Souza                    *Raquel & *Rebecca

·         Samiha Gayed                                             Samiha

·         Michael & Charlie Genovezos                 Michael & *Charlie

·         Mavra Grimm                                              Mavra

·         Dr. Lucille Howton                                     Lucille

·         Constantinos Katsikas                                Constantinos

·         Gregory Kerbow                                          Gregory

·         John Koutsoufis                                           Ioannis

·         Emilia Lueth                                                Emilia

·         George Neville                                             *George

·         Constantinos & Marlen Pachou                               Constantinos & Marlen

·         Maria Lungu Post                                        Maria

·         Emily, Tempest & Maire MacLeod        Emily, Michael & Maire Barachiel

·         Jude, Erzsi & Brigid MacLeod                 Jude, Erzsi Rafael & Brigid Seraphim

·         Michaela Miller                                            Michaela

·         Gail & Nancy Poriotis                                 Evangelia & *Nancy

·         Marika Shackelford                                    Maria

·         Georgia Souris                                              Georgia

·         Ann, Jason, Anastasia Sullivan                 Ana, Jason, Anastasia

·         Madalina, Tanase, Maria, Pipita Tache  Madalina, Tanase Stefan, Maria, Pipita

·         Sarah Varvaris                                             Sara

·         Kristy, Ronald, Martha Warkentin          Paraskeva, Ronald & Martha

·         George Vittas                                               George, Reader

Family members who fell asleep in the Lord in the last 40 days:  

Spaska –Svetlana - Yengusnesh - George, reader – Shannon - Francis, Pope – Andreas – Daniel- Carolyne – Claire - Yordan

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Church Calendar

  • STJB Calendar

    May 25 to June 8, 2025

    Sunday, May 25

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Coffee Hour - Potluck

    Tuesday, May 27

    8:30PM GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.

    Sunday, June 1

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Coffee Hour - Potluck

    Tuesday, June 3

    8:30PM GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.

    Wednesday, June 4

    5:00PM Feed the Hungry - packing lunch bags for UGM

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    Saturday, June 7

    11:00AM Baptism John Davis

    4:00PM Confessions

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, June 8

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Heritage Luncheon

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