Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-31
Bulletin Contents
Parish News
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings

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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

Thomas Lekas


[email protected] | 678-993-3629

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, Maryann Bolt, Leonardos Daniels, Athena Duddy, Mikae Gaetanos, Susana G. Kugeares, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, George Lemieux, Jr., James Mahourtis, Mary Mastoridis, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Adeline Susan Rahaneotis, Tommy Stewart and Trey Wilkinson.

May their memory be eternal!

Prayers for Taki Andriotis, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael and Ingrid Fotianos, Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu (daughter of Melissa Sarris Kauttu), James Day, James, Kyriake, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Gwen H, Lewis Hayberg,Jayden Billeter, Vanessa Oliver and Chris.

A WORD FROM:

V. Rev Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest

(347) 500-8176 [email protected]

Όρκοι και Τάματα 

 Στις 29 Αυγούστου η Εκκλησία τιμά τη μνήμη της αποτομής της κεφαλής του Τιμίου Προδρόμου, με άλλα λόγια γιορτάζει το μαρτύριό του. Όπως γνωρίζουμε, ο Ηρώδης έδωσε υπόσχεση με όρκο μπροστά στους φίλους του ότι θα εκπληρώσει όποια χάρη θα του ζητήσει η κόρη του. Η χάρη ήταν ο αποκεφαλισμός του Ιωάννου του Προδρόμου. Αυτό ήταν κάτι που ο Ηρώδης δεν ήθελε αλλά η δέσμευση που είχε αναλάβει μπροστά στους φίλους του, τον υποχρέωσε να τηρήσει την υπόσχεσή του.

Με αφορμή το γεγονός αυτό θα ήταν καλό να κάνουμε κάποιες επισημάνσεις: 

Ο Απόστολος Ιάκωβος στην Καθολική του επιστολή τονίζει: 

Προ πάντων δε, αδελφοί μου, μην ορκίζεσθε ούτε εις τον ουρανόν, ούτε εις την γην, ούτε κανένα άλλον όρκον. Ας είναι δε το ναί, που λέγετε, πραγματικό ναι· και το όχι σας πραγματικό όχι, διά να μη εμπέσητε εις υποκρισία και ψευδολογίαν. 

Με τα παραπάνω διδάσκει να μην κάνουμε ούτε αυτό που λέγεται όρκους βαρείς ούτε ελαφρείς. Έτσι δεν θα κατακριθούμε ούτε θα πέσουμε στο αμάρτημα της ψευδορκίας αν τυχόν δεν ανταποκριθούμε στην υπόσχεση που δίνουμε. 

Μήπως με αυτό τον τρόπο επιτρέπει να λέμε ψέματα, ακόμα και μικρά; Υπάρχουν κάποιοι που θεωρούν ότι μπορούν να λένε μικρά ψέματα, όταν δεν βλάπτουν άλλους, και τα ονομάζουν λευκά. Ο Απόστολος Ιάκωβος είναι πολύ σαφής: Το “ναι” και το “όχι” σας να είναι αληθινά και να αρκείστε σε αυτά χωρίς να χρειάζεστε όρκους για να πείσετε ή να πειστείτε. Είναι ασέβεια όταν στις καθημερινές μας υποθέσεις ορκιζόμαστε στον Θεό. 

 Επίσης, πολλές φορές οι άνθρωποι, όταν βρίσκονται σε δύσκολη θέση κάνουν ένα τάμα και το βλέπουν σαν μια μορφή συμφωνίας και συναλλαγής με τον Θεό, την Παναγία ή τους Αγίους. Έτσι, υπόσχονται κάτι, ή κάνουν μια πράξη θεωρώντας ότι ο Θεός ή οι Άγιοι δέχονται αυτή την μονομερή συμφωνία. Αυτό είναι λάθος. Γιατί ούτε τα υλικά μας αγαθά χρειάζονται οι Άγιοι, ούτε περιμένουν να τους τάξουμε, για να ακούσουν τις προσευχές μας. Καταφεύγουμε στον Θεό με πίστη, ταπείνωση και με εμπιστοσύνη ότι θα μας δώσει αυτό που χρειαζόμαστε για την παρούσα αλλά και την μέλλουσα ζωή. Η αφιέρωση του εαυτού μας στο Χριστό και ο πνευματικός αγώνας είναι το καλύτερο τάμα. 

 

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

 Dedicated Pledges 

 On August 29, the Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Forerunner, honoring his martyrdom. As we know, Herod made a vow before his guests that he would grant whatever favor his daughter requested. Her demand was the beheading of John the Baptist—something Herod himself did not wish for. Yet, bound by his public commitment, he felt compelled to fulfill it. On this occasion, it is worth reflecting on a few important points:

The Apostle James, in his Catholic Epistle, exhorts us:

"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation."

With these words, he teaches us to avoid both heavy and light vows so that we do not fall into the sin of perjury if we fail to uphold them.

Does this mean we are permitted to lie—at least in small ways? Some people believe that harmless falsehoods, often called "white lies," are acceptable. However, the Apostle James is clear: Our yes and no must be truthful, standing on their own without the need for oaths to persuade or be persuaded. It is irreverent to swear by God in our daily affairs.

Furthermore, many, when faced with difficulties, make vows as a form of agreement or transaction with God, the Virgin Mary, or the Saints—promising actions or offerings in the belief that such pledges will secure divine favor. This, however, is a misconception. The Saints do not require our material gifts, nor do they wait for us to make promises in order to hear our prayers.

We turn to God in faith, humility, and trust, confident that He will provide for us in this life and the life to come. True dedication to Christ and the spiritual struggle is the most worthy pledge.

Events:

  Upcoming Events:    

  • ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL

    Please save the following dates to assist with Festival preparations:

    September 5th & 6th - Dolmathes

    September 12th & 13th - Pastitsio

    September 19th & 20th - Moussaka

    September 27th  - Chicken souvlaki

    September 28th - Hall and Outdoor cleanup

    October 5th - Signage distribution/placement

    October 6th - Tzatziki

    October 10th - Setup, cooking prep, salad/tzatziki cups

We need your assistance to make this years festival a success.  If you would like to be a sponsor of this fabulous event please click link www.stauggreekfest.com

Notices:

  • Father Maximos will be on vacation August 24th to September 20th

   **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].

                            

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Tone

Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy. Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος· ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον· πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο· ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐῤῥύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Venerable Sash of the Theotokos in the Plagal 4th Tone

Ever-virgin Theotokos, the shelter of mankind, you have given to your City as a protective wall the clothing and garment that you wore on your immaculate body. By your seedless childbirth, they have remained incorrupt. For in you both nature and time are made novel. Therefore we implore you, grant peace to your commonwealth, and great mercy to our souls. Θεοτόκε ἀειπάρθενε, τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἡ σκέπη, Ἐσθῆτα καὶ Ζώνην τοῦ ἀχράντου σου σώματος, κραταιὰν τῇ πόλει σου περιβολὴν ἐδωρήσω, τῷ ἀσπόρῳ τόκῳ σου ἄφθαρτα διαμείναντα· ἐπὶ σοὶ γὰρ καὶ φύσις καινοτομεῖται καὶ χρόνος· διὸ δυσωποῦμέν σε, εἰρήνην τῇ οἰκουμένῃ δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

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 2nd Tone

The precious garment that you wore about your body that hosted God, O all-blessed Theotokos, truly is power unassailable for your City and a treasure whose blessings are perpetual, O only Ever-virgin who bore a child. Τὴν θεοδόχον γαστέρα σου Θεοτόκε, περιλαβοῦσα ἡ Ζώνη σου ἡ τιμία, κράτος τῇ πόλει σου ἀπροσμάχητον, καὶ θησαυρὸς ὑπάρχει, τῶν ἀγαθῶν ἀνέκλειπτος, ἡ μόνη τεκοῦσα ἀειπάρθενος.
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Saints and Feasts

August 31

12th Sunday of Matthew

August 31

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

Although the historical accounts differ somewhat, the Deposition that is celebrated today took place most likely during the reign of Emperor Arcadius (395-408), when the precious Cincture of the Mother of God was brought from Zela of Cappadocia to Constantinople, and placed in the Church of the Theotokos in the section of Chalcopratia.

August 31

Cyprian the Hieromartyr & Bishop of Carthage

Saint Cyprian was born of pagan parents in Carthage of Roman Africa about the year 190. An eloquent teacher of rhetoric, he was converted and baptized late in life, and his conversion from a proud man of learning to a humble servant of Christ was complete; he sold his great possessions and gave them to the poor, and because of his zeal and virtue, was ordained presbyter in 247, then Bishop of Carthage in 248. He was especially steadfast in defending the sanctity and uniqueness of the Baptism of the Church of Christ against the confusion of those who would allow some validity to the ministrations of heretics; his writings continue to guide the Church even in our own day. Having survived the persecution of Decius about the year 250, he was beheaded in confession of the Faith during the persecution of Valerian in 258, on September 14; that day being the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, his feast is kept today.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 3rd Tone. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

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