Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2026-09-20
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (904)-829-0504
  • Fax:
  • (904)829-0504
  • Street Address:

  • 2940 CR-214

  • St. Augustine, FL 32084-2718


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sunday  Divine Liturgy 10:00am    V. Rev. Father Maximos Politis, Priest


Past Bulletins


Parish News

PRAYER REQUEST:

"I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people….  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners.

Prayers for the family and friends of: Ellen Sarris Allen, Geraldine Sarris, Philip Sarris, Maryann Bolt, Leonardos Daniels, Athena Duddy, Ingrid Fotianos, Mikae Gaetanos, Susana G. Kugeares, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, George Lemieux, Jr., James Mahourtis, Mary Mastoridis, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Adeline Susan Rahaneotis, Mary Santas, Tommy Stewart,  Tracey Billeter Stott, Gary Spanos, Gwen H, Trey Wilkinson, Michael Fotianos ,Mike Theodosion and Rita Latgis.

May their memory be eternal!

Prayers for:

 Taki Andriotis, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael , Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu , James Day, James Kyriake, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Athena Mechikoff, Lewis Hayberg,Jayden Billeter, Vanessa Oliver,  Kugeares Family (Zoe and Marika ), Bobby James, Michaela, and Patricia Tortorella,  Martha Tzemopoulos,  Kaliroi Parris, Gary Peterson,Thomas Lekas and Cliff Demeritt.

A WORD FROM:

V. Rev Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest

(347) 500-8176 [email protected]

Ο καλύτερος δάσκαλος δεν είναι ο πιο ευχάριστος δάσκαλος

Διαβάζουμε την συνέντευξη ενός από τους πιο σημαντικούς ποδοσφαιριστές πριν από 20 χρόνια: “Έπαιζα στην δεύτερη κατηγορία της χώρας μου. Με ευχαριστούσε ο τρόπος που έπαιζα και βοήθησα την ομάδα μου να ανέβει κατηγορία. Και τότε συνάντησα τον νέο προπονητή. Ήταν σκληρός άνθρωπος και πολλές φορές με έδιωξε από την προπόνηση. Ήθελε να μου αλλάξει το στυλ του παιχνιδιού. Όσα όμως μου έμαθε στα 19 μου χρόνια χρησίμευσαν για το υπόλοιπο της καριέρας μου. Ο προπονητής αυτός είναι σήμερα ένας από τους καλύτερους φίλους μου στον αθλητισμό.”

Πόσο σημαντικά και μεστά λόγια! Αυτή είναι η πορεία του μαθητή που αγαπάει την πρόοδο. Η κατά Χριστόν ζωή είναι ένας αγώνας προς την πνευματική τελείωση. Και αυτός ο αγώνας γίνεται με την υπακοή μέσα στην Εκκλησία. Εάν αυτός ο αθλητής έμενε σε αυτά που ήξερε και καταλάβαινε, σίγουρα θα συνέχιζε να είναι ένας καλός παίκτης, δεν θα έφτανε όμως στο επίπεδο που τον οδήγησε ο προπονητής του.

Ο Αρχαίος φιλόσοφος Αριστοτέλης έλεγε: Της παιδείας αι μεν ρίζαι πικραί,οι δε καρποί γλυκείς! Και για την περίπτωσή μας: Ο καλός δάσκαλος δεν είναι πάντα ο ευχάριστος δάσκαλος.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The best teacher is not the most pleasant teacher

We read the interview of one of the most important soccer players 20 years ago: "I was playing in the second division of my country. I was pleased with the way I played and I helped my team get promoted to the first division. And then I met the new coach. He was a tough person and many times he kicked me out of training. He wanted to change my playing style. But what he taught me at the age of 19, helped me for the rest of my career. This coach is now one of my best friends in sports."

How important and eloquent words! This is the course of the student who loves progress. Life in Christ is a struggle towards spiritual perfection. And this struggle takes place with obedience within the Church. If this athlete stuck to what he knew and understood, he would certainly continue to be a good player, but he would not reach the level that his coach led him to.

The ancient philosopher Aristotle said: The roots of education are bitter, but the fruits are sweet! And for our case: A good teacher is not always a pleasant teacher.

(soccer player: Deco, coach: Santos)

 . Events:

  • First Day of Sunday School- 9/13/2026

  • Kuntz-Baptism 9/19/2026
  • 6-Month Memorial for Gerry Sarris 9/27/2026
  •  Cooking dates for Greek Festival are below, many hands are needed to prepare for the festival

     ·       Fri, Sep 25, 1pm - 7pm – Pastitsio

    ·      Sat, Sep 26, 10am - finish – Pastitsio

    ·      Sat, Oct 3, 10am - finish – Chicken skewering

    ·      Thu, Oct 8, 10am - 5pm – Tzatziki; Onion, tomato chopping

    ·      Fri, Oct 9, 10am - finish – Set-up; Beans, Dressing

 Notices:

  • ASTERAKIA DANCE GROUP

    We are excited to invite all our children, boys and girls, 5 – 14 years old to join the Asterakia Dance group, which means “Little Stars” in English!

    Come learn and enjoy the beautiful traditions of Greek dancing in a fun and welcoming environment. No experience is necessary for this free of charge event!

    When: Sundays, after Divine Liturgy at noon for about 30 minutes (Sunday school classroom) 

    Each Sunday’s social hour is chaired by Philoptochos

    A volunteer coordinates a given week’s plan. That means that regardless of experience, anyone can volunteer to provide a snack and be a host.  This is not limited to Philoptchos members or   even just to women!

    Sign up is  available on our website, under the Calendar tab.

    We understand that many parishioners are unable to host, however they want to connect, get involved and enjoy time together after worship. If you’re able, you can always bring something to share with our parish family and Sunday school children. Items picked up during grocery store sales (buy one, get one free) are always appreciated. Also, this is a great way to get non-perishable items to donate to the local food pantry!

    We welcome:

    Ø Baked goods or simple snacks (ready to serve)

    Ø Fruits (cleaned and ready to serve)

    Ø Homemade items (list ingredients to prevent allergy concerns)

         If you have any questions on what to bring or when, reach out to Kaliroi Parris at [email protected] or contact any of the Philoptochos ladies and they will be glad to help you!

     

   **If you have an article for The Sunday Messenger or Holy Trinity Herald  please email by Wednesday each week to Carey at the Church office to [email protected].

                            



Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone

You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον· ἠνέῳξας τῷ λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον· τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the 1st Tone

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. Σῶσον, Κύριε, τὸν λαόν σου, καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς βασιλεῦσι κατὰ βαρβάρων δωρούμενος, καὶ τὸ σὸν φυλάττων, διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου πολίτευμα.

Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the 4th Tone

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. Οἱ Μάρτυρές σου Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἀθλήσει αὐτῶν, στεφάνους ἐκομίσαντο τῆς ἀφθαρσίας, ἐκ σοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν· σχόντες γὰρ τὴν ἰσχύν σου, τοὺς τυράννους καθεῖλον, ἔθραυσαν καὶ δαιμόνων, τὰ ἀνίσχυρα θράση. Αὐτῶν ταῖς ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Apolytikion for the Church in the 4th Tone

Blessed are You, O Christ our God; You made wise men of poor fishermen by sending down upon them Your Holy Spirit, and through them You caught the whole world, O Lover of mankind, glory to You.

Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι᾽ αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, granting them the victories against their adversaries. And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, peace as their armor, the trophy invincible. Ὁὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ ἑκουσίως, τῇ ἐπωνύμῳ σου καινῇ πολιτείᾳ, τοὺς οἰκτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Εὔφρανον ἐν τῇ δυνάμει σου, τοὺς πιστοὺς βασιλεῖς ἡμῶν, νίκας χορηγῶν αὐτοῖς, κατὰ τῶν πολεμίων· τὴν συμμαχίαν ἔχοιεν τὴν σήν, ὅπλον εἰρήνης, ἀήττητον τρόπαιον.


Saints and Feasts

September 20

Sunday after Holy Cross


September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.


September 20

Our Righteous Father Eustathius, Archbishop of Thessolonica




Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."




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