Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-09-14
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]

Ο ληστής στο Σταυρό

 Με αφορμή την εορτή της Ύψωσης του Τιμίου Σταυρού, θα μιλήσουμε για ένα προβληματισμό που συχνά αναφύεται, ειδικά όταν έχουμε ενώπιόν μας κάτι δυσάρεστο, προσωπικό ή συλλογικό. Σε τέτοιες περιπτώσεις συχνά λέγεται: “Πώς το επιτρέπει αυτό ο Θεός;” Σα να αμφιβάλλουμε για την Παντοδυναμία ή την Φιλανθρωπία του Θεού. Αυτό θυμίζει την αντίδραση του ενός από τους δύο ληστές κατά την Σταύρωση του Κυρίου. “Εάν είσαι συ ο Χριστός, σώσαι τον εαυτό σου και εμάς”. Είχε χάσει κάθε ελπίδα. Δεν περίμενε τίποτα ούτε και από τον Χριστό. Και ο άλλος ληστής επίσης δεν είχε καμιά ελπίδα, δεν περίμενε τίποτα από τους ανθρώπους και από αυτή τη ζωή. Αυτό έλεγε η λογική κάθε ανθρώπου. Αυτός όμως έκανε την υπέρβαση. Πίστεψε ότι ο σταυρωμένος άνθρωπος δίπλα του είναι αναμάρτητος σε αντίθεση με τον ίδιο. Έτσι, ομολογεί: “Και ημείς μεν δικαίως· άξια γαρ ων επράξαμεν απολαμβάνομεν· ούτος δε ουδέν άτοπον έπραξεν.” Σήμερα ο άνθρωπος συνήθως διαμαρτύρεται και λέει: “Γιατί υποφέρω; Τι κακό έκανα; Γιατί συμβαίνει αυτό το κακό στην ανθρωπότητα; ποιος φταίει; Γιατί ο Θεός επιτρέπει αυτό το κακό; ” Φυσικά είναι πολύ λίγοι που έχουν κάνει όσα έκανε ο ληστής. Όμοια όμως είναι λίγοι αυτοί που αναγνωρίζουν τα λάθη τους με την ειλικρίνεια του ληστή ή του Τελώνη της Παραβολής. Ο ειλικρινής ληστής, με καθαρά τα μάτια της ψυχής βλέπει αυτό που δεν μπορεί να δει κανένας άλλος. Βλέπει ότι ο Κύριος έχει να του προσφέρει αυτό που κανείς δεν μπορεί. Αυτό είναι η συμμετοχή στην μέλλουσα ζωή, την βασιλεία των ουρανών. Αυτό είναι το μόνο που τον ενδιαφέρει. Ο ένας θέλει να λύσει το πρόβλημά του, να γλιτώσει από το βάσανο, να σώσει τη ζωή του. Ο άλλος, σαν να μην υπάρχει άλλο πρόβλημα και άλλος στόχος, παρά μόνο η αιώνια ζωή. Τώρα, αυτό είναι ο θησαυρός του. Αυτό είναι που ζητάει από τον Κύριο. 

 Αυτό, αγαπητοί μου αδελφοί, είναι που περιμένει από εμάς ο Θεός. Ακόμα και στην πλέον δύσκολη στιγμή να πούμε ότι ξέρει ο Θεός γιατί παραχωρεί το κάθε πρόβλημα. Ας δούμε το οποιοδήποτε κακό που μας συμβαίνει ως ευκαιρία να ζητήσουμε συγγνώμη από τον Θεό. Με μετάνοια να πούμε το “Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε” ώστε να γίνουμε και εμείς, μαζί με τον ληστή, συμμέτοχοι στην υπόσχεσή Του: “..Μετ’ εμού έση εν τω Παραδείσω.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The robber in the Cross 

On the occasion of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, let us reflect on a concern that often arises, particularly in the face of personal or collective suffering. In such moments, many ask, “How does God allow this?”—a question that seems to challenge both His omnipotence and His love for mankind.

This reaction is reminiscent of one of the two robbers at the Crucifixion of the Lord. In despair, he cried out, “Are You not the Messiah? Save Yourself and save us!” Having lost all hope, he expected nothing from Christ. The other robber, too, had no hope—neither in people nor in this life. Such is the logic of fallen humanity.

Yet, unlike the first, this second robber went beyond human reasoning. He believed that the crucified Man beside him was innocent, unlike himself. He confessed: “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this Man has done nothing wrong.”

Today, people often protest in times of suffering, asking: “Why do I suffer? What have I done wrong? What sin have I committed? Why does God allow such evil in the world?” Few respond as the sincere robber did. Few acknowledge their faults with the humility of the Publican in the Parable.

But the repentant thief saw what others could not. He recognized that the Lord could grant him something beyond earthly relief—participation in the life to come, the kingdom of heaven. While one robber sought escape from suffering, the other saw only eternal life as his treasure, and this alone he asked of the Lord.

This, my dear brethren, is what God expects of us. Even in our most difficult moments, let us trust that He knows why He allows trials. Let us view every hardship as an opportunity for repentance, humbly praying, “Remember me, O Lord,” so that, together with the thief, we may become partakers of His promise: “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Events:

  Upcoming Events:    

  • ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL

    Please save the following dates to assist with Festival preparations:

    September 12th & 13th - Pastitsio (Fri 12pm-7pm; Sat 10am-finish)

    September 19th & 20th - Moussaka  (Fri 12pm-7pm; Sat 10am-finish)

    September 27th  - Chicken souvlaki  (Fri 12pm-7pm; Sat 10am-finish)

    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

Apolytikion for Elevation 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 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

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς 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.
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Saints and Feasts

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

September 14

Commemoration of the 6th Ecumenical Council

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 98.9,1.
Exalt the Lord our God.
Verse: The Lord reigns; let the people tremble.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:18-24.

Brethren, the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Gospel Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30

At that time, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."

When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Then when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

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